Historic Attack: Pagers of Hezbollah Members Explode in Lebanon

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In a chilling and unprecedented attack, hundreds of pagers exploded across Lebanon on a single Tuesday, leaving the country reeling in shock and confusion. According to a report on Tuesday afternoon in the NYT, this coordinated assault resulted in the deaths of at least nine individuals and injuries to over 4,000 more, many of whom were critically wounded. The explosions, which seemed to target specific members of Hezbollah, deepened an already volatile situation as tensions with Israel reached new heights.

The incident took place a day after Israel hinted that it might intensify its military actions against Hezbollah, further heightening tensions in the region.

The NYT reported that eyewitnesses described seeing smoke emerging from people’s pockets and hearing small but rapid blasts that evoked the sound of fireworks or gunfire. The shockwaves spread quickly through the city, causing confusion and panic as people rushed to help the injured. Local television stations aired footage showing hospitals overwhelmed with victims, many of whom suffered severe burns, mangled hands, and injuries to the face, as per the information provided in the NYT report. Ambulances, unable to keep pace with the influx of casualties, raced through the city streets, their sirens blending with the sounds of emergency services battling to restore order in the chaos.

The sheer scale of the injuries, particularly the focus on facial trauma, hands, and stomachs, was a harrowing indication of how vicious the blasts were, as was indicated in the NYT report. The nature of the wounds suggested that many victims were caught entirely off guard, with the explosions occurring in close physical proximity to their bodies.

According to sources within Hezbollah, some operatives noticed that their pagers were overheating moments before the explosions occurred. In these cases, some individuals were able to discard their devices before they detonated, possibly mitigating further casualties. Reports also indicated that some of the pagers received a message shortly before exploding, suggesting a sophisticated method of remote activation.

Iranian media reported that Mojtaba Khamenei, the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, sustained injuries during the explosions in Beirut and members of the ambassador’s family were also hurt in the incident.

Al Jazeera journalists suggested that the operation might have involved assistance from U.S. specialists. According to local reports, hospital employees claimed that several days prior to the attack, American specialists working in the area had disposed of their pagers. These devices had been used for communication with local medical staff, raising suspicions about possible foreknowledge of the attack.

The US State Department responded this evening to the pager explosions in Lebanon and clarified that the US is not involved in the situation, ‘We strive for a diplomatic solution between Israel and Hezbollah.’

The attack has led to a flurry of accusations and international responses. Hezbollah immediately blamed Israel for the operation, labeling it a “criminal aggression” and promising retaliation. The Lebanese government also condemned the attack and prepared to lodge a formal complaint with the United Nations. However, Israel, following its standard protocol, declined to officially comment on the incident.

The explosions, which primarily affected devices believed to be used by Hezbollah members, have sent shockwaves through the country. Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed terrorist proxy based in Lebanon, has been embroiled in a long-standing conflict with Israel. Although the specifics of the devices involved are still under investigation, Lebanese officials have confirmed that the majority of the affected individuals were members or affiliates of Hezbollah.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the pagers involved in the explosions were of a recent model, having been distributed to Hezbollah only a few days prior to the attack. This suggests that Israel, if responsible, had detailed intelligence on the shipment and operation of these devices. The ability to infiltrate and sabotage the communication tools of Hezbollah represents a significant breach of the group’s security protocols, potentially exposing vulnerabilities in its logistical networks.

Officially formed in the 1980s, Hezbollah is known for its strong resistance against Israeli military incursions. Over the years, Hezbollah has built a powerful military presence in Lebanon, making it one of the most formidable non-state actors in the Middle East.

The NYT report indicated that in recent years, Hezbollah’s leadership has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to the Palestinian cause, further entangling it in regional conflicts. Its involvement in the Syrian civil war, alongside Iranian forces, has further complicated its standing both within Lebanon and in the broader geopolitical landscape.

Despite being labeled a terrorist organization by several Western governments, Hezbollah enjoys substantial support among Lebanon’s Shia population, as confirmed in NYT report. This base of support, along with its military power, allows it to act with significant autonomy within Lebanon, often independent of the Lebanese government.

The nature of the explosions has raised significant concerns and speculation. A Lebanese intelligence official, who requested anonymity, revealed to The New York Times that the detonations were triggered by the simultaneous explosion of communication devices, specifically pagers, used by Hezbollah operatives. The NYT noted that pagers, which have become somewhat obsolete in much of the world, still play a crucial role in Hezbollah’s internal communications, allowing its operatives to coordinate activities discreetly.

The NYT report indicated that the fact that the Israeli military declined to comment on the incident further fuels the growing suspicion of its involvement. However, without concrete evidence, it remains unclear whether Israel was directly responsible for this unprecedented event.

The cyber hack was one of the most audacious and high-tech operations believed to have been executed by the Israeli Mossad. The attack involved the simultaneous detonation of communication pagers used by Hezbollah operatives across multiple locations in Lebanon, including strongholds in southern Beirut, the Beqaa Valley, and southern Lebanon. Explosions also occurred in Syria, near Damascus.

The precise mechanism used for the pager detonations remains unclear, but multiple theories have emerged. One possibility is that the pagers were pre-rigged with explosives during their manufacturing or distribution, which would have required intelligence access to Hezbollah’s supply chain.

Given that the pagers rang before detonating, it is speculated that the timing was designed to ensure users would be handling the devices at the time of the explosions, maximizing casualties​.

Some reports also indicate that Mossad may have utilized remote signals to overload the pagers’ circuits, causing the batteries to explode. This level of technical infiltration would have required detailed knowledge of the make and model of the pagers used by Hezbollah​.

Preliminary reports suggest that the pagers involved in the explosions in Lebanon were identified as Gold Apollo AP900 or AR924 models, based on markings observed on the wreckage of the devices. The exact method used by Israel to carry out this highly sophisticated operation remains unclear.

One theory posits that the pagers were compromised prior to their distribution to Hezbollah operatives. This could imply a cyber breach, where the devices were either pre-loaded with malware or otherwise tampered with. According to a Lebanese official, who spoke anonymously to the Associated Press, the explosions were likely triggered by overheated lithium batteries. These batteries, common in many electronic devices, are prone to ignition when exposed to overheating conditions, possibly exacerbated by malware designed to push the batteries beyond their thermal limits.

Another possibility is that a mass transmission of messages to the pagers led to their simultaneous detonation. This would suggest an external trigger, likely timed to ensure maximum damage​.

Sky News Arabic, quoting an Israeli military source, claims that the Mossad infiltrated Hezbollah’s supply chain by placing PETN explosives inside the batteries of communication devices before they reached Hezbollah.

These explosives were reportedly detonated by remotely increasing the battery temperature. PETN is considered one of the most powerful explosives and is highly sensitive to heat and friction, potentially explaining the explosion mechanism.

Al Jazeera added that 20 grams of explosives were allegedly placed in each device, which Hezbollah began using five months ago. All information provided remains unverified.

This operation is seen as a significant intelligence coup for Israel. It not only disrupted Hezbollah’s communication networks but also demonstrated Mossad’s ability to infiltrate a tightly controlled supply line. The psychological impact on Hezbollah is profound, as the group now faces the reality that its secure communication methods had been penetrated​.

The pager explosions represent a cyber and electronic warfare breakthrough, reflecting a shift in how conflicts in the Middle East are being conducted. The covert nature of this attack and the precision required to execute it on such a scale indicate a new era of asymmetric warfare between Israel and Hezbollah.

While the exact number of casualties is still being assessed, Reuters confirmed that thousands were injured. Among those affected was Mojtaba Amani, Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, who reportedly sustained facial injuries in the blast and was quickly transported for medical treatment. The widespread nature of the explosions triggered an immediate national response, with hospitals around Lebanon urgently calling for blood donations to handle the growing number of injured patients.

Hezbollah vowed retaliation for the attack, in line with its broader posture toward Israel in past conflicts. While the exact form of this retaliation remains to be seen, Hezbollah’s history suggests that it could involve direct military action, potentially in the form of rocket attacks or other aggressive responses against Israeli targets, as they have done in previous incidents of Israeli strikes on Hezbollah leaders and assets​.

While no definitive evidence has been publicly released to confirm Israeli involvement, the attack bears hallmarks of the Mossad’s advanced intelligence capabilities. If confirmed, the operation would represent a major success for Israeli intelligence, delivering a blow to Hezbollah’s operational effectiveness and raising questions about the security of its communication systems. This incident adds another layer of complexity to the already fragile political and military dynamics in Lebanon and the broader Middle East.

A security source told Al Araby that the devices which exploded simultaneously were all located in areas where Hezbollah’s presence is significant, such as Beqaa and Dahieh.

According to Al-Hadath, approximately 70 people were injured by the explosions in various locations across Lebanon, and hospitals have called for blood donations.

Following the explosion, Hezbollah terrorists were ordered by the organization’s leadership to abandon their pagers, for fear of additional explosions.

An official Hezbollah source said, “The pagers’ explosions is a result of the greatest security breach thus far.”

Israel has not responded to the incident of the blasts, nor taken responsibility for them.

Also on Tuesday, Israel National News reported that the ISA has cleared for publication that it foiled a Hezbollah attack aimed at a former defense establishment official that was intended to commence in the coming days.

As part of its operation, the ISA uncovered a claymore mine, commonly used by Hezbollah, which was meant to be used against the individual. The mine was attached to a remote-controlled device based on a cellphone camera so it would be able to be detonated from Lebanon.

The ISA stated that operational preparedness and the forces’ actions prevented the attack during the final execution stages. The targeted individual was notified by the security authorities and was briefed accordingly.

The explosive was similar to the claymore that was detonated by Hezbollah last year in Hayarkon Park in central Israel which was intended to harm an Israeli official.

The defense establishment estimates that the Hezbollah elements involved in planning this incident were also behind the September 2023 attack. The terror infrastructure has been under surveillance for a while.

Hospitals, particularly in the capital Beirut, southern, and eastern regions of Lebanon, have been overwhelmed by a staggering number of patients. The Lebanese Red Cross responded quickly, dispatching 80 ambulances to the affected areas. These ambulances were sent to multiple locations where “multiple bombings” were reported. However, the report in the NYT noted that despite these initial efforts, the full extent of the medical crisis is still unfolding, and Lebanese authorities are advising civilians to avoid handling any wireless devices until more is known about the cause of the explosions.

These explosions come against the backdrop of a simmering 11-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The conflict started last October when Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israeli territory in support of Hamas, another Iranian-backed terror proxy based in the Gaza Strip. Since then, both sides have engaged in periodic exchanges of missiles and rockets, resulting in mounting casualties on both sides. The NYT reported that despite the severity of the conflict, it has largely been confined to these aerial exchanges, with leaders on both sides warning that the conflict could soon escalate to ground-based warfare.

Tuesday’s explosion, while not a traditional military strike, represents a significant development in this ongoing conflict. It raises concerns that Hezbollah’s infrastructure, particularly its internal communication networks, is vulnerable to external disruption. If the explosions were indeed the result of an Israeli cyber or electronic warfare tactic, it would mark a major shift in the types of warfare tactics being deployed in this conflict.

As tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue to rise, the possibility of the conflict spilling over into a full-scale war becomes ever more likely, as was suggested in the NYT report. Leaders from both sides have issued warnings in recent months, suggesting that their patience is wearing thin. Israeli leaders, in particular, have expressed frustration over Hezbollah’s continued military provocations and have hinted at the possibility of expanded military operations.

If these explosions were indeed caused by an Israeli strike or electronic warfare operation, it would signal a major escalation in tactics, as well as an increasing willingness on Israel’s part to directly target Hezbollah’s infrastructure.

In the wake of the explosions, Lebanese officials have called for calm and restraint. Minister Firass Abiad, while overseeing the medical response, urged Lebanese citizens to remain vigilant and to refrain from using wireless devices until more information is available, the NYT report added.