In an unprecedented series of events, hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon exploded almost simultaneously, marking an attack of unprecedented scale in the region. The attack, surpassing covert assassinations and cyberattacks in recent years, was attributed to Israel by the Iran-backed militant group.
According to sources, the wireless devices began exploding around 3:30 p.m. local time, following a targeted attack on Hezbollah operations by Israel. The joint operation between the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence service, and the Israeli military was condemned by the Lebanese government as a “criminal Israeli aggression.”
The pagers that exploded were newly purchased by Hezbollah in recent months, coming from a European distributor according to a Taiwanese manufacturer. These explosions, unprecedented in scale and nature, demonstrate Hezbollah’s vulnerability as its communications network has been devastatingly compromised.
Several areas of Lebanon were hit by the blasts, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold. Videos showed chaotic scenes with passersby collapsing in the streets after the explosions. At least nine people were killed, including a child, and nearly 2,800 people were injured, overwhelming Lebanese hospitals.
Why did Hezbollah use pagers? The militant group had opted for these low-tech communications devices to keep its operations private, avoiding surveillance via high-tech. Despite this strategy aimed at evading detection by Israel and the United States, the pagers ultimately backfired in tragic ways.
Speculation about how basic wireless communication devices may have been used in the attack is ongoing, providing details of Israel’s insertion of explosives inside the ordered pagers. Photos circulating on social media show damaged Gold Apollo pagers, illustrating the devastating consequences of this operation.
This latest development raises questions about the security and privacy of the means of communication used by militant organizations in the Middle East, highlighting ongoing regional tensions and challenges. The complexity of the relationship between Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon is being exacerbated, suggesting possible future repercussions in an already volatile context.
Against this backdrop of simmering conflict and entrenched rivalries, the recent pager bombing attack highlights the challenges and stakes of a region where security and stability remain fragile.The consequences of these landmark events are not only local, but resonate internationally, providing food for thought on ways to resolve the lingering tensions in the Middle East.