Pager Device Exploison, How did it Happend?
A pager is a small, wireless telecommunications device that receives and displays messages. It was widely used before the advent of mobile phones, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s. Pagers operate through radio signals transmitted by a base station, allowing the user to receive messages even in areas without phone access.
On September 17, 2024, Hezbollah accused Israel of orchestrating a series of deadly pager blasts across Lebanon, marking the group's largest security breach in its ongoing conflict with Israel. The explosions, which occurred in Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, Beirut’s southern suburbs, and the Bekaa Valley, left nine dead and more than 2,750 injured, including Hezbollah fighters and Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani.
Hezbollah revealed that the pagers, capable of carrying up to 3 grams of explosives, were remotely detonated. The devices, although analog, were reportedly hacked, leading to suspicions that Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, had infiltrated Iran's security systems. The pagers had been imported from Iran, and this breach has prompted speculation that Mossad compromised the supply chain, enabling Israel to trigger the explosions.
Lebanese officials and Hezbollah leaders condemned the attack, with Hezbollah promising "fair punishment" for Israel. A senior Hezbollah official referred to the incident as the "biggest security breach" in nearly a year of conflict with Israel. Surveillance footage showed a pager exploding next to a cashier at a grocery store, highlighting the widespread nature of the attacks.
The New York Times reported that Israel had hidden explosive materials inside Taiwan-made Gold Apollo pagers before they were imported into Lebanon. The explosive was implanted near the battery with a remotely triggered switch. Lebanese sources believe that despite being analog, the devices were compromised via sophisticated hacking, leading them to suspect a deep infiltration of Iran’s security networks.
Motorola, a company linked to some of the pager models, distanced itself from the incident, stating it had no involvement. Despite accusations, Israel’s military remained silent, declining to comment on the allegations.
The Lebanese government and Hezbollah denounced the blasts as "Israeli aggression," while Iran’s ambassador, who sustained superficial injuries, was among those rushed to local hospitals. Hezbollah fighters, including the sons of prominent officials, were among the dead. The son of Hezbollah MP Ali Ammar was one of the confirmed fatalities.
The attacks have heightened tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, though experts remain cautious about the likelihood of an imminent full-scale war. Nevertheless, the incident marks a major escalation in the technological and tactical dimensions of the conflict. The United Nations condemned the attacks, while the U.S. called for restraint, urging all parties to seek diplomatic solutions.
In response to the escalating violence, Air France suspended flights to Beirut and Tel Aviv due to security concerns. While Hezbollah continues to vow retaliation, it has stated that a full-scale war with Israel would only be avoided if the ongoing Gaza conflict is resolved.
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