IN PHOTOS: Pagers explode in deadly attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria

A deadly attack involving the simultaneous explosion of pagers occurred in Lebanon and Syria, killing at least nine people and injuring thousands. The victims included civilians such as an 8-year-old girl. The attack appeared to target members of Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran, who relied on pagers for communication. Pics/ AFP & AP

Updated On: 2024-09-18 12:47 PM IST

Compiled by : Sanjana Deshpande

A deadly attack involving the simultaneous explosion of pagers occurred in Lebanon and Syria, killing at least nine people and injuring thousands.

Hezbollah has accused Israel of orchestrating the attack. Although no direct evidence has been provided yet, experts believe that the scale and sophistication of the operation indicate the involvement of a state actor. Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, is a primary suspect due to its history of carrying out similar operations.

Hezbollah members had switched to using pagers instead of mobile phones for communication due to concerns over Israeli surveillance. Mobile phones are easier to track, while pagers are considered more secure, making this a devastating blow to the group’s communication infrastructure.

Experts suggest that the attack may have involved sabotage within the supply chain of pagers. Small explosive devices could have been embedded in the pagers during manufacturing or distribution, allowing for remote detonation. This strategy would require a high level of planning and precision.

Security experts believe that pagers, which already contain batteries, could have been modified to include tiny explosive charges and detonators. By using a remote trigger, possibly via a radio signal, the attackers could have caused the pagers to explode simultaneously across different locations.

The operation appears to have been meticulously planned over several months or even years. The attackers would need to gain access to the pagers, modify them, and ensure that Hezbollah members were using the compromised devices. This kind of detailed planning indicates a well-coordinated effort by skilled operatives.

A video has surfaced on social media showing one of the pagers exploding on a man’s hip in a market in Lebanon. Analysts who reviewed the footage noted that the size of the explosion was consistent with a small, precise charge, suggesting a high level of expertise in the manufacturing of the explosive devices.

The attack will likely force Hezbollah to reconsider its communication methods. Given the vulnerability exposed by this incident, the group may abandon not only the use of pagers but also mobile phones and other electronic devices to prevent further attacks.

While many pagers exploded, not all were triggered in the attack. Hezbollah members were able to recover some of the compromised devices and determine that they contained 3 to 5 grams of highly explosive material hidden within the pager's circuitry. This discovery highlights the precision with which the devices were sabotaged.

As investigations continue, authorities and experts are likely to focus on how the pagers were compromised and what this means for future Hezbollah operations. The group will need to reassess its entire security and communication infrastructure to prevent such sophisticated attacks in the future.

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