Lagatar24 Desk
Beirut, Lebanon: At least 32 people have been killed, and over 3,250 injured in two days of devastating explosions across Lebanon, targeting walkie-talkies and pagers used by Hezbollah members. On Wednesday, walkie-talkies exploded in Hezbollah’s Beirut stronghold, leaving 20 dead and more than 450 injured. This followed a series of blasts a day earlier, when pagers used by Hezbollah operatives across Lebanon detonated, killing 12 people, including two children, and injuring around 2,800.
The operation, now linked to Israel’s elite intelligence arm, Unit 8200, has raised concerns about the intensifying conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.
Unit 8200: Israel’s Elite Intelligence Arm
Unit 8200, a crucial component of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), is known for its expertise in intelligence gathering, cyber defence, and technological operations. Comparable to the US National Security Agency, Unit 8200 is credited with several high-profile intelligence missions. These include the development of the Stuxnet virus, which sabotaged Iran’s nuclear program, and a 2018 operation that foiled an ISIS plot to bomb a civilian airliner.
Western security sources revealed that Unit 8200 had been involved in the development of the operation targeting Hezbollah’s communication devices. The operation reportedly took over a year to plan, with Unit 8200 testing methods for embedding explosives during the manufacturing of these devices.
Key Role in Cyber Operations
Unit 8200’s reputation extends beyond traditional intelligence activities, with a notable presence in cyber warfare. In addition to its role in the Stuxnet attack, the unit has been linked to other significant cyber missions, including a 2017 cyberattack that disrupted Lebanon’s state telecom company, Ogero.
Former Israeli military intelligence official Yossi Kuperwasser praised Unit 8200’s capabilities, calling it “the best and brightest personnel in the Israeli military.” Many of its alumni go on to become prominent figures in Israel’s thriving tech industry, contributing to cybersecurity innovations globally.
Unit 8200 Under Scrutiny
Despite its numerous successes, Unit 8200 has faced criticism for its failure to predict Hamas’ October attack on southern Israel. This intelligence lapse led to the resignation of its commander, admitting the unit had not fulfilled its mission.
While Israeli military officials have remained silent on the allegations linking Unit 8200 to the Hezbollah pager and walkie-talkie blasts, the operation marks one of the most significant security breaches faced by Hezbollah.
Hezbollah’s Response and Tensions
Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate, blaming Israel for what it called a “massacre” that targeted its members and Iranian representatives in Beirut. The group has long relied on low-tech communication methods, like pagers and walkie-talkies, in an attempt to evade Israeli cyber surveillance.
With tensions already high due to cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel since the Gaza conflict in October 2023, these recent attacks could further escalate the situation, potentially dragging the broader Middle East into deeper conflict.
