In a sophisticated attack, pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded almost simultaneously in Lebanon and Syria.
The pagers, a wireless telecommunications device that receives and displays alphanumeric or voice messages, exploded, killing at least nine people, including an 8-year-old girl, and injuring thousands more. A U.S. official said Israel informed the United States of the operation after it was completed. The Iranian-backed militant group blamed Israel for the explosions, which appeared to have been planned. Details of how the attack was carried out remain uncertain.
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Hezbollah used pagers in the attack, following a warning from its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, to avoid mobile phones due to the risks of Israeli surveillance. A group official said the devices that exploded were of a new brand that they had not used before, without disclosing the brand. Nicholas Reese, a security, explained that smartphones are more vulnerable to eavesdropping compared to pagers. He stressed that this type of attack will force Hezbollah to review its communication strategies, while survivors of the explosions are likely to discard their phones and other electronic devices.
The possibility of sabotage causing the pagers to explode is being examined, with a US official confirming that it was a planned operation by Israel. Experts say the explosions likely came from very small explosive devices that had been integrated into the pagers before they were delivered to Hezbollah. The explosive devices include key components, with the pagers already having three of them. A video circulating on social media captures the moment of the explosion, confirming for experts that it appears to have come from a tiny explosive device. Sean Moorhouse, a former British army officer, emphasizes the involvement of a state actor, pointing to the Mossad as a possible responsible.
How long did this attack last?
The attack that was carried out required significant planning time, with estimates ranging from several months to two years. Experts suggest that the perpetrator had been gathering information for a long time.
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The pagers appeared to have been operating normally for six months before the explosion, which was triggered by an error message. According to analyst Elijah J. Magnier, 3 to 5 grams of explosive material were found in the circuit. Hezbollah confirmed the deaths of at least two of its members in the bombings and blamed Israel for the attack, stressing its responsibility towards civilians.
Source: securityweek
