News Hosts Criticized for Tone in Coverage of Israeli Pager Attacks on Hezbollah

June 11, 2025 — Allegations have surfaced on social media platforms, particularly X, claiming that Fox News hosts displayed inappropriate enthusiasm while covering a sophisticated Israeli operation involving explosive pagers targeting Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon. Contrary to some online narratives, the attacks were not directed at Hamas, as clarified by multiple reputable sources. The story has sparked debate about media framing and the ethics of reporting on sensitive geopolitical events.

Background on the Pager Attacks

In September 2024, Israel executed a covert operation that involved supplying Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon, with pagers rigged with explosives. According to a CBS News 60 Minutes report, retired Mossad agents revealed that the operation began years earlier, with Israel manipulating Hezbollah into purchasing tampered communication devices, including walkie-talkies. On the day of the attack, authorized by Mossad head Dadi Barnea, thousands of pagers detonated across Lebanon, killing or injuring numerous Hezbollah operatives. The operation was described as a tactical blow, weakening Hezbollah’s operational capacity and sending ripples through Iran’s regional proxy network. A source in the report, identified as “Michael,” suggested the attack’s impact might influence Hamas indirectly by isolating it diplomatically and militarily.

The operation, which killed at least nine people and injured nearly 3,000, was widely covered for its audacity and precision. The New York Times noted that the attack underscored Israel’s advanced intelligence capabilities, while also raising ethical questions about targeting methods that risked civilian casualties. Hezbollah and Lebanese officials condemned the operation, with the latter reporting significant strain on medical facilities.

Claims of Fox News Hosts’ Reaction

Posts circulating on X have accused Fox News hosts of taking “pleasure” in discussing the pager attacks, framing their coverage as gleeful or celebratory. However, no specific evidence, such as direct video clips or transcripts from Fox News broadcasts, was provided in these posts to substantiate the claim that hosts explicitly expressed joy over the operation.

The accusations appear to stem from broader dissatisfaction with Fox News’ editorial stance, which often aligns with pro-Israel perspectives in its coverage of Middle East conflicts.

A search of recent Fox News articles and segments related to the pager attacks found no direct mention of the operation in their reporting. Instead, Fox News has focused heavily on Hamas-related developments in Gaza, such as Israeli military operations, hostage negotiations, and aid distribution challenges. For instance, a June 5, 2025, Fox News article detailed Israeli claims that Hamas was sabotaging a U.S.-backed humanitarian aid group to maintain control in Gaza, but it made no reference to the Lebanon pager attacks. Similarly, other Fox News reports from early June 2025 centered on Israeli denials of attacking Gaza aid sites and Hamas’s declining support among Gazans, with no connection to the Hezbollah operation.

Lack of Video Evidence

Efforts to locate video clips showing Fox News hosts discussing the pager attacks yielded no results from reputable sources or Fox News’ official platforms. The network’s YouTube channel and website archives for June 2025 primarily feature segments on U.S. politics, Gaza-related conflicts, and domestic issues, with no identifiable coverage of the Lebanon operation. A notable Fox News segment from March 20, 2025, referenced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gifting Sen. John...