Israel’s Covert Operation: How Pagers Became Weapons Against Hezbollah
In a surprising and high-stakes operation, Israel launched an attack against Hezbollah using an unexpected device—pagers. This covert mission, which came to light after American and other officials provided details, was carried out using Taiwanese-made pagers secretly altered to deliver devastating explosives.
The Unlikely Weapon: Modified Pagers from Taiwan
The pagers in question were ordered by Hezbollah from Gold Apollo, a company based in Taiwan. Most of the order consisted of the AR924 model, though a few other models were included. According to officials, the pagers were tampered with before they even reached Lebanon. Hidden within each device was a small amount of explosive material—only one to two ounces—alongside a remote-activated switch.
How the Attack Unfolded: A Deadly Message
On Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. in Lebanon, the pagers received what appeared to be a routine message from Hezbollah’s leadership. However, this message was no ordinary command—it was the trigger that detonated the explosives within the pagers. The result was catastrophic. According to Lebanon’s health minister, at least 11 people lost their lives, and more than 2,700 were injured in the blasts.
Cybersecurity Experts Weigh In on the Explosions
Independent cybersecurity experts, who have reviewed footage of the explosions, agree that these were no accidental detonations. Mikko Hypponen, a specialist at WithSecure and an advisor to Europol, noted that the strength and speed of the explosions clearly indicated the use of a potent explosive material. “These pagers were likely modified in some way to cause these types of explosions,” he said, emphasizing that the damage was far beyond what a normal pager battery could cause.
Hezbollah’s Communication Vulnerability Exposed
Keren Elazari, an Israeli cybersecurity analyst and researcher at Tel Aviv University, pointed out that the attack struck Hezbollah where they were most vulnerable—their communication system. Earlier this year, Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, had greatly restricted the use of cell phones among his members, fearing Israeli surveillance. This move forced Hezbollah to rely more heavily on pagers, which, unbeknownst to them, had been turned into a tool for their downfall.
“This attack hit them in their Achilles’ heel because they took out a central means of communication,” Elazari explained. “While we’ve seen similar attacks in the past, the sophistication of this operation is unprecedented.”
Widespread Impact: Pagers Distributed Across the Region
More than 3,000 pagers were part of the order from Gold Apollo, according to officials. These devices were distributed to Hezbollah members across Lebanon, and some even made their way to Hezbollah’s allies in Iran and Syria. Only the pagers that were turned on at the time of the message were affected by the explosions, leaving many wondering just how deeply Hezbollah’s communication systems have been compromised.
No Official Comment from Israel
While Hezbollah has publicly accused Israel of orchestrating the attack, providing limited details of their understanding, Israel has remained silent. The sensitive nature of the operation has left many questions unanswered. However, officials involved in the investigation have shared details anonymously, offering a rare glimpse into the covert methods being used in modern warfare.
A New Chapter in Covert Warfare?
This operation highlights a new level of sophistication in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. By targeting communication tools, Israel exploited a key vulnerability in Hezbollah’s defenses, crippling their ability to operate effectively. As more details of the operation come to light, it may mark a turning point in how technology and communication devices are used in warfare.