On September 17, 2024, a series of synchronized explosions involving pagers rocked Lebanon and parts of Syria, causing at least 11 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The blasts primarily targeted members of the militant group Hezbollah, which had recently shifted from using cell phones to pagers to avoid Israeli tracking. Here’s what we know about the incident:
Key Highlights
- Recent Acquisition: Hezbollah had recently acquired the pagers involved in the explosions after advising its members to stop using cell phones due to concerns about Israeli surveillance. These pagers were from a brand previously unused by the group.
- Manufacturer Details: Despite requests, Hezbollah has not disclosed the manufacturer of the pagers. However, reports suggest that the devices might have been produced by a Taiwanese company named Gold Apollo. The company has not confirmed its involvement.
- Explosion Theories:
- Explosive Charges: Weapons expert Alex Plitsas of the Atlantic Council noted that the nature of the explosions suggests the presence of small explosive charges rather than just battery fires. This implies that if Israel was responsible, it might have intercepted and tampered with the pagers before they reached Hezbollah.
- Electromagnetic Pulse: Yehoshua Kalisky, a researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, proposed that an external electromagnetic pulse might have been used to cause the devices to explode. This would be a deliberate and sophisticated attack aimed at compromising Hezbollah’s communication devices.
- Hezbollah’s Response: Hezbollah has blamed Israel for what it describes as a “cyber attack” and claims that the simultaneous explosions represent a significant security breach. The group has called the incident an “Israeli breach” of its communications network.
- Official Statements: Lebanon’s foreign ministry has labeled the explosions as an “Israeli cyber attack,” but specific details on how this conclusion was reached have not been provided. Israel has yet to respond to these allegations or provide any comments on the incident.
The Explosions
The explosions occurred at multiple locations nearly simultaneously, including in Hezbollah strongholds and areas in Syria. The immediate impact was severe, with numerous injuries and fatalities reported. The 9-year-old girl who died in the Bekaa Valley was among the youngest victims.
The precise cause of the pager explosions remains under investigation, with theories ranging from sophisticated explosive devices to remote electromagnetic attacks. Hezbollah’s accusations against Israel and the lack of concrete evidence or official responses from the involved parties leave many questions unanswered about the true nature of the attack.
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