Exploding Pagers & Walkie-Talkies Kill 37 & Injure 3,000+ In Lebanon

New technology has always fascinated people, especially that which is used for communication.

Moving up from using wired telephones that kept us glued to one spot and fax machines that had to be turned on to receive messages, the introduction of pages enabled owners to get notified someone wanted to get in touch with them flagged a big step in human communication evolution.

Of course, the introduction and widespread adoption of mobile phones have seen their own journey. From small-screened mobile phones with larger number pads to large-screen smartphones with touchscreens and the invention of trifold phones and tablets, our consumer electronics industry has grown leaps and bounds.

Yet, these devices have proven to be carriers of destruction, especially in a recent series of incidents that occurred across Lebanon, which have ended up killing several people and injuring more than ten times that number.

So, what was the incident about and what was its timeline? Let’s explore!

What Are The Lebanon Incidents About?

 

• On September 15, 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed to his cabinet that they would do whatever it takes to ensure that 70,000 Israelis displaced from northern border villages due to ongoing fights with Hezbollah, would return home.

• On September 17, hundreds of pagers across Lebanon and Syria exploded simultaneously, killing 12 people and injuring around 2,800 people.

• One day later (September 18), the trend continued across Lebanon, this time in the form of exploding walkie-talkies and other electronic devices, leaving 25 dead and wounding 608 people.

• As per reports, the explosions mostly affected Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia militia group backed by Iran, known for using pagers and walkie-talkies to communicate.

• As per Lebanese media, the blasts occurred in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley and Southern Lebanon.

• Overall, the two attacks have resulted in the death of 37 people, including children, and has injured over 3,000 others.

• The attacks have escalated tensions in the area and brought about heightened fears of a broader conflict involving Hezbollah and Israel.

• The pagers involved are believed to be AR-924 models that carry Gold Apollo branding.

• However, the Taiwanese company said the devices were made under license in Budapest by BAC Consulting.

• Furthermore, the walkie-talkies involved were identified as discontinued models from the Japanese firm ICOM.

• This raised questions about their origin and how they ended up in Hezbollah's possession.

• Israel's history of planting explosives in telecommunication devices dates back to 1972, during "Operation Wrath of God," in retaliation for the Munich Olympics massacre.

• Mahmoud Hamshari, the PLO representative in Paris, was targeted by Israeli operatives who planted a bomb in his phone, detonating it remotely during a staged interview.

What Did Concerned Parties Say?

 

• While Hezbollah immediately blamed Israel for these strategic attacks, both Iran and Hezbollah have expressed intentions to respond.

• Israel's defense minister acknowledged the country would be entering a "new era" of warfare, hinting at Israel's role in the attacks.

• According to Israeli officials, these attacks mark a strategic shift in their military focus, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant saying, “The center of gravity is moving northward. We are at the start of a new phase in the war.”

• The statement came on Wednesday (September 18), when Israel’s Defense Minister visited an air base.

• Ahead of this, John Kirby, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, said, “We were not involved in yesterday’s incidents or today’s in any way.”

• At the same time, Kirby declined to comment on further questions.

• On the other hand, a group of experts from the United Nations has called for an independent investigation into the attacks, saying, “These attacks violate the human right to life, absent any indication that the victims posed an imminent lethal threat to anyone else at the time,” the experts said in a news release.”

• “Such attacks require prompt, independent investigation to establish the truth and enable accountability for the crime of murder.”

• labeling them a violation of international humanitarian law.

• As per analysts, the successful infiltration of Hezbollah's communication network represents a significant intelligence breakthrough for Israel.

Do you think this move will affect how people perceive consumer electronic devices? Do you think such technology will find its way into conflicts around the world or even inspire other anti-social elements?

Let us know in the comments below!