Israeli social media users reacted to the news of Hezbollah members killed by exploding pagers with a mix of humor and controversy. Memes mocking the operation circulated online, depicting scenarios like an Orthodox Jew selling discount pagers and Hezbollah operatives facing castration in heaven. As the jokes continued, some questioned the ethics of celebrating the deaths of enemies.
While some found the humor to be a release valve amidst ongoing conflicts, others believed it crossed a line. Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky acknowledged the appropriateness of humor in dealing with stress but cautioned against excessive celebration. The debate over the memes highlighted conflicting perspectives within Judaism.
As the operation raised questions about the morality of targeted attacks and responses to violence, some found solace in the humor amid a challenging year. Israeli comedian Benji Lovitt noted the distinction in humor related to Hezbollah and Gaza, emphasizing the need for sensitivity in comedic discourse.