Exploding Pagers and Walkie-Talkies: Inside Mossad’s Strategy

Exploding Pagers and Walkie-Talkies: Inside Mossad’s Strategy \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Retired Israeli intelligence agents revealed details about a decade-long Mossad operation targeting Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and Syria. The mission used booby-trapped pagers and walkie-talkies to strike with precision, killing 30 fighters and instilling widespread fear. The attacks coincided with heightened tensions following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, assault on Israel.

Inside Mossad’s Explosive Operation Quick Looks:

• Clandestine Strategy: Mossad embedded explosives in walkie-talkies and pagers to target Hezbollah fighters.
• Decade of Planning: Operations began in 2013, with explosive walkie-talkies detonated in September 2023.
• Technological Deception: Shell companies and ads duped Hezbollah into buying Israeli-modified pagers.
• Psychological Impact: The attack aimed to spread fear and demonstrate Israeli superiority.
• Casualties: Around 30 Hezbollah militants killed in initial strikes; others wounded for strategic disruption.
• Aftermath: The operation fueled broader conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Deep Look

A Decade-Long Mission Unveiled

Two retired senior Israeli intelligence agents recently shed light on a covert Mossad operation targeting Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and Syria. Speaking anonymously to CBS’s “60 Minutes” in a segment aired Sunday, the agents described how Israel used booby-trapped walkie-talkies and pagers to deliver a devastating blow to its adversaries.

This meticulously planned mission, initiated a decade ago, culminated in September 2023 when hundreds of explosive devices were triggered, killing approximately 30 Hezbollah militants and sowing widespread fear across Lebanon. The agents, identified only as “Michael” and “Gabriel,” revealed the extraordinary lengths Mossad went to in order to infiltrate Hezbollah’s supply chains and conceal its involvement.

Phase One: Exploding Walkie-Talkies

The operation’s foundation was laid in 2013 when Mossad embedded hidden explosives within walkie-talkies. These devices, indistinguishable from regular equipment, were covertly sold to Hezbollah operatives through a network of shell companies.

Hezbollah operatives unknowingly used these walkie-talkies for years without incident, which built trust in their reliability. The agents ensured the devices were dormant until Mossad activated them remotely in September 2023. Some detonations occurred during funerals for militants killed in initial explosions, amplifying the operation’s psychological impact.

Phase Two: Booby-Trapped Pagers

The operation escalated in 2022 when Mossad discovered that Hezbollah had begun purchasing pagers from Gold Apollo, a Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer. Mossad manipulated the supply chain, creating slightly larger pagers to accommodate hidden explosives. The agents went to great lengths to ensure the pagers appeared legitimate, even testing different ringtones to increase the likelihood that operatives would retrieve the devices before detonation.

Gabriel described how Mossad used an elaborate ruse, creating a network of shell companies—including one based in Hungary—and producing false advertising on platforms like YouTube to market the devices as highly durable and reliable. “Everything was 100% kosher,” Gabriel said. “Marketing, engineering, showrooms—it all looked real.”

By September 2023, Hezbollah operatives had unknowingly acquired 5,000 of these pagers, embedding them deeply within their communications network.

The Day of the Attack: September 17, 2023

Mossad triggered the operation on September 17, when pagers across Lebanon began to beep simultaneously. The devices exploded whether or not users attempted to access their encrypted messages, killing approximately 30 militants and injuring many more.

The next day, Mossad activated the booby-trapped walkie-talkies, targeting additional Hezbollah members. Some explosions occurred during funerals for those killed in the pager attacks, a calculated move to amplify psychological distress within the organization.

Psychological and Strategic Impact

Beyond physical damage, the operation aimed to instill fear and uncertainty within Hezbollah. The agents recounted reports of Lebanese citizens afraid to use basic household items, like air conditioners, fearing they might also be rigged to explode.

“We want them to feel vulnerable, which they are,” Michael said. “They’ll have to keep guessing what the next thing will be.”

Gabriel emphasized that the operation was designed to disrupt Hezbollah’s operations by creating lasting logistical and financial burdens. “If a militant is dead, he’s gone. But if he’s wounded, you have to care for him, invest resources, and deal with the visible reminder of our superiority,” he explained.

The Broader Conflict: Israel vs. Hezbollah

The operation occurred against the backdrop of escalating tensions following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, assault on Israel. Hezbollah began striking Israel almost immediately after the Hamas attack, intensifying the conflict along Israel’s northern border.

In response to the pager and walkie-talkie explosions, Israel launched airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions across Lebanon. These strikes killed thousands, including Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, whose bunker was destroyed by an Israeli bombing.

The war between Israel and Hezbollah, a byproduct of the Israel-Hamas conflict, ultimately concluded with a ceasefire in November 2023. However, the broader war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas continued, with Palestinian health officials reporting over 45,000 fatalities by the end of the year.

The Role of Deception in Mossad’s Success

The agents likened the operation to The Truman Show, a film in which the protagonist unknowingly lives in a fabricated reality. “When they are buying from us, they have zero clue that they are buying from Mossad,” Gabriel said. “Everything is controlled by us behind the scenes.”

This deception extended beyond selling the devices. Mossad orchestrated fake business operations, complete with marketing campaigns, engineers, and legitimate-seeming partnerships, to ensure the ruse remained undetected. The agents noted that this intricate web of deceit was critical to the mission’s success.

Aftermath and Future Implications

The operation’s impact was both immediate and far-reaching. In addition to the physical toll on Hezbollah, the psychological effect on its operatives and supporters in Lebanon cannot be understated. The fear of hidden dangers in seemingly ordinary devices disrupted daily life and eroded trust within the organization.

However, Michael acknowledged that the tactic could not be reused, as Hezbollah is now aware of the strategy. “We’ve already moved on to the next thing,” he said, hinting at future covert operations designed to maintain Israel’s strategic advantage in the region.

The mission also underscores the evolving nature of modern warfare, where technology, psychological manipulation, and precision strikes play increasingly central roles. As Mossad continues to innovate, its methods will likely influence intelligence and military strategies worldwide.

A Message to the Middle East

Ultimately, the operation served as a powerful demonstration of Israel’s intelligence capabilities and its willingness to use unconventional means to protect its interests. By embedding explosives in everyday devices and orchestrating their use with precision, Mossad delivered a clear message to its adversaries: Israel’s reach is vast, and its methods are unpredictable.

For Hezbollah and other hostile groups, the operation stands as a chilling reminder of the risks they face in their ongoing conflict with Israel.

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