Even Leon Panetta Says Israel’s Pager Attack Is “Terrorism”

Former CIA Director Leon Panetta called Israel’s pager attack in Lebanon “terrorism.”

Last week, pagers, walkie-talkies, and solar panels exploded across Lebanon, as well as Syria, in a series of deadly attacks reportedly carried out by Israel. On Tuesday, a wave of attacks , supposedly targeting pagers held by members of Hezbollah, killed at least 12 people including two young children and injured thousands more. A second wave of detonations on Wednesday killed another 20 people and injured more than 450 people, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

During an interview with CBS News on Sunday, Panetta warned that Israel was conducting a “war of terror.”

“The ability to be able to place an explosive in technology that is very prevalent these days, and turn it into a war of terror, really, a war of terror—this is something new,” Panetta said.

When asked whether Israel’s attack constituted terrorism, Panetta was unequivocal. “I don’t think there’s any question that it’s a form of terrorism,” he said.

Panetta served as the secretary of defense from 2011 to 2013 and director of the CIA from 2009 to 2011, both under President Barack Obama.

Panetta was then asked if he believed members of the international community, including the United States, should condemn Israel’s actions.

“I think it’s going to be very important for the nations of the world to have a serious discussion about whether or not this is an area that everybody has to focus on, because if they don’t try to deal with it now. Mark my word, it is the battlefield of the future,” he replied.

Israel’s deadly tactics in Lebanon have been condemned by Volker Türk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, for violating international law by weaponizing ordinary devices. Türk explained that international law prohibits the use of booby-trapped items used in daily life, and “it is a war crime to commit violence intended to spread terror among civilians.”

Israel has continued to target Lebanon with impunity, firing off a series of airstrikes Monday that have killed more than 274 people and wounded more than 1,000 more. Israel’s illegal attacks are a blatant attempt to broaden a regional war and draw U.S. forces into a fight against Iran.