Lebanon was rocked by a series of nearly simultaneous explosions on September 17, 2024affecting hundreds of Hezbollah members.
These blasts were traced to pagers, a device the Iran-backed Shiite militia had adopted to circumvent electronic surveillance. According to sources contacted by Reuters, Israel intercepted the pagers after their purchase in Taiwan, allowing small explosive charges to be discreetly installed.
Hezbollah had turned to pagers, or “beepers,” for their radiomessaging capabilities, specifically the POCSAG radio transmission protocol, which offers broader coverage—vital for the group’s operations across Lebanon. The Rugged Pager AR924, a popular model produced by Taiwanese company Gold Apollo, was particularly favored for its durability and extended battery life of up to 85 days. Despite these precautions, the explosions have revealed significant security gaps within Hezbollah.
The aftermath triggered widespread speculation. The Lebanese Ministry of Health urged the public to avoid these devices, and hospitals were put on high alert to manage the casualties. Lebanese security sources suspect the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, of masterminding the operation by embedding small explosive circuits into the pagers. These circuits, hidden from standard inspection, were reportedly remotely triggered by a coded signal, resulting in the simultaneous detonation of roughly 3,000 pagers, causing severe injuries.
The pagers, imported by Hezbollah from the Taiwanese manufacturer, were not directly produced by Gold Apollo but were instead made by BAC, a European firm licensed to use its brand. This added layer has raised further questions about supply chain security, as the devices appeared to be tampered with during production.
Hezbollah has called this incident “the greatest security breach” it has faced in recent years, while Lebanese authorities swiftly accused Israel of “criminal aggression.” In response, Hezbollah vowed retaliation and reiterated its support for Gaza and the Palestinian cause.
