Lagatar24 Desk
Beirut: A devastating series of pager explosions rocked Lebanon on Tuesday, killing nine people and injuring over 2,800, with Hezbollah blaming Israel for what it called the “biggest security breach” in its history. Among the dead were the sons of prominent Hezbollah lawmakers, while a 10-year-old girl was also killed in the Bekaa Valley.
The explosions occurred around 3:30 pm local time (6 pm IST), with Hezbollah claiming the blasts were caused by an Israeli breach of its communications network, triggering the detonation of pagers across its strongholds in Lebanon, including Beirut and southern Lebanon. The incident also extended beyond Lebanon, with four people injured in Syria when a pager exploded in a vehicle in Damascus.
Hezbollah Accuses Israel
Hezbollah swiftly blamed Israel for the coordinated attacks, issuing a statement that held the nation “fully responsible” for the explosions. The group alleged that Israel had hacked its communications system, causing the devices to overheat and explode. “Several pager devices used by Hezbollah members and officials of various institutions exploded at nearly the same time,” the statement said. The group vowed to conduct “extensive security and scientific investigations” to determine the exact cause and urged its members to avoid spreading misinformation.
The Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad confirmed that the blasts had left around 2,800 people injured, many critically, with injuries primarily on the face, hands, and stomach. Iran’s state media reported that Iran’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was also among the wounded.
Widespread Panic
In addition to Lebanon, an independent war monitor reported that 14 people were injured in Syria in similar incidents. The explosions have caused widespread panic across Lebanon, with citizens fearing further breaches of Hezbollah’s sophisticated telecommunications system. Hezbollah, which has been in near-daily conflict with Israel since October 2023 in support of its ally Hamas, has insisted that the attacks are part of Israel’s ongoing psychological warfare.
Unconfirmed Reports
While Hezbollah has pointed to a cyberattack, unverified reports have suggested other possibilities. Some sources claim that explosives may have been pre-planted inside the pagers before they were distributed to Hezbollah operatives. Other theories include the possibility of the devices overheating due to a signal breach.
Israel has not yet responded to the accusations.
Pager Technology Vulnerability
Pagers, once popular in the 1990s, use unencrypted communication protocols like FLEX and ReFLEX, which are vulnerable to breaches. Modern encryption methods, if any, used by Hezbollah are unclear, making it difficult to ascertain how the alleged breach occurred.
International Concern
The international community has expressed concern over this unprecedented breach of Hezbollah’s communication network, which could have far-reaching implications for Lebanon’s already fragile security situation. The incident underscores the escalating tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, with many fearing that the situation could further destabilize the region.
