Pager: In a shocking incident in Lebanon, at least nine individuals lost their lives, and nearly 3,000 were injured when thousands of pagers, used by members of Hezbollah, simultaneously exploded across the country. The devices, believed to be rigged with explosives, were reportedly sourced from a Taiwanese company under the brand Gold Apollo, though the manufacturing was actually done by a company named BAC.
What Happened?
On Tuesday, pagers carried by Hezbollah operatives, as well as some civilians, detonated almost simultaneously. This led to widespread panic and chaos, with scenes of destruction captured in various locations, particularly in areas with strong Hezbollah presence like southern Beirut and the Beqaa Valley. The explosions were not limited to Lebanon; reports also surfaced of similar incidents in Damascus, Syria.
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The Pager’s Role in Modern Warfare:
Pagers, once a staple of urgent communication before the rise of mobile phones, have seen a resurgence in use by Hezbollah. The group adopted these devices as a countermeasure against sophisticated Israeli surveillance technologies, which could easily intercept and track mobile communications. Pagers, with their simple technology, were thought to offer a secure alternative for battlefield communication.
How the Attack Was Executed:
The sophistication of the attack suggests a meticulously planned operation. Experts speculate that the explosives were planted during the supply chain process, possibly before the pagers reached Lebanon. The detonation was likely triggered by a specific message or error code sent to the devices, causing them to vibrate intensely until manually interacted with, which then set off the explosives.
Implications and Reactions:
This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with the latter accusing Israel of orchestrating the attack. The use of such a method sends a chilling message about the reach and capabilities of the attackers, potentially aiming to sow distrust and fear within Hezbollah ranks. The Lebanese government and Hezbollah have demanded accountability, pointing fingers at Israel, though Israel has not officially commented on the matter.
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Global Reaction:
The international community has been left stunned by the scale and method of the attack. While no group has officially claimed responsibility, the incident has reignited discussions on the ethics of warfare, the use of technology in conflicts, and the potential for such tactics to be used elsewhere.
