Hezbollah pager explosions/ Israel Hezbollah conflict/ Lebanese pager attack/ exploding pagers Hezbollah/ Israeli operation against Hezbollah/ Newslooks/ NEW YORK/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A series of pager explosions in Lebanon and Syria killed 12 people, including two children, and injured thousands in an attack believed to target Hezbollah. The Iran-backed militant group blamed Israel for the explosions, which appear to have been a long-planned operation involving compromised devices. While Israel has not commented, U.S. officials confirmed that Israel had briefed the U.S. on the attack after it occurred.
Key Details About the Exploding Hezbollah Pagers: What We Know So Far Quick Looks:
- At least 12 people were killed, including two children, when Hezbollah members’ pagers exploded in Lebanon and Syria.
- Hezbollah blamed Israel for the attack, which targeted a wide range of individuals, including civilians.
- The pagers, used as a secure communication tool by Hezbollah, were supplied by a Hungarian company and branded by a Taiwanese firm.
- Experts believe small explosives were embedded in the devices and detonated remotely in a sophisticated operation.
Exploding Pagers Targeting Hezbollah: What We Know So Far
Deep Look:
A deadly and coordinated attack on Hezbollah members unfolded on Tuesday when pagers exploded across Lebanon and Syria, killing at least 12 people and injuring thousands. The attack, which targeted Hezbollah’s communications network, has been attributed to Israel, according to the militant group and a U.S. official who confirmed Israel had briefed the U.S. on the operation.
The explosions, which took place nearly simultaneously, affected hundreds of Hezbollah members and civilians. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had previously advised his members to avoid carrying cellphones due to the risk of Israeli surveillance, leading the group to rely on pagers for communication. These devices, supplied by Hungarian company BAC Consulting and branded by Taiwanese firm Gold Apollo, were used to avoid the risks associated with mobile phones, but they became the tools of a devastating attack.
Why Were Pagers Used in the Attack?
Hezbollah has long been wary of using cellphones, as they can be tracked and intercepted by Israeli intelligence. As a result, the group switched to using pagers, which offer simpler, less easily intercepted communication.
The pagers that exploded on Tuesday were from a new batch the group had not used before, according to a Hezbollah official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The devices were manufactured by BAC Consulting in Hungary under a licensing agreement with Gold Apollo.
Nicholas Reese, an expert in global affairs, pointed out that smartphones carry a much higher risk for intercepted communications, making pagers a seemingly safer option for Hezbollah. The attack will likely force Hezbollah to rethink its communication strategies, as survivors are now likely to discard all electronic devices.
How Could the Pagers Have Been Sabotaged?
Though specific details of the attack remain unclear, experts believe the explosions were caused by small explosive devices embedded in the pagers before they were delivered to Hezbollah. These devices were likely triggered remotely, possibly via a radio signal.
Carlos Perez, a security intelligence director, speculated that the batteries in the pagers may have been part explosive, allowing for their detonation once remotely activated. A former British Army bomb disposal expert explained that pagers already contain key components required for an explosive device—such as a battery and a container. Only a detonator and explosive charge would need to be added.
Footage from a Lebanese market, circulating on social media, purportedly shows one of the pagers exploding on a man’s hip. Experts reviewing the footage said the detonation appeared to involve a small, high-explosive charge. Such an operation would require the resources of a state actor, and Israel’s Mossad is widely considered the most likely suspect.
N.R. Jenzen-Jones, an expert in military arms, noted that Israel had been accused of similar operations in the past, including attempts to sabotage Iran’s missile program with faulty, explosive components.
How Long Was This Operation in the Making?
The attack was likely planned over a long period, with experts estimating anywhere from several months to two years. The operation required a deep intelligence network to infiltrate the supply chain of the pagers, tamper with their design, and confirm that Hezbollah members were using them before remotely triggering the explosions.
According to political analyst Elijah J. Magnier, the pagers had been functioning perfectly for six months before the attack, indicating the sabotage was carefully timed. Hezbollah members who inspected the surviving pagers found that between 3 to 5 grams of high-explosive material had been embedded within the devices’ circuitry.
The scale of the operation also suggests that it was not only aimed at Hezbollah fighters but potentially targeted civilians as well. Jenzen-Jones questioned the precision of the targeting, noting the high risk of collateral damage, such as children or non-combatants handling the devices.
Hezbollah’s Response and the Aftermath:
Hezbollah confirmed the deaths of at least two members, including the son of a Hezbollah parliament member, and later reported that six other members were killed. In a statement, the group blamed Israel for the attack, saying, “We hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression that also targeted civilians.” The group vowed that Israel would “get its just punishment.”
The explosions have heightened tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, which have exchanged fire almost daily since October. As investigations continue into the attack, experts believe Hezbollah will need to overhaul its communication strategies to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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