A recent report has uncovered a chilling detail about the pagers used by Hezbollah members in Lebanon, which exploded during a series of incidents last month. According to The Washington Post, these devices featured a two-step decryption process that caused users to hold them with both hands when they detonated.
The explosive incidents occurred in mid-September, shocking international observers as multiple pagers went off simultaneously, with similar explosions later reported involving walkie-talkies owned by the Iran-backed group. These events are suspected to be connected to an operation attributed to Israel’s Mossad, though Israel has not confirmed its involvement.
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In total, the detonations resulted in numerous casualties, including at least two children, with up to 3,000 Hezbollah members reportedly killed or injured. Notably, Tehran’s ambassador to Beirut suffered significant injuries when one of the devices exploded in his vicinity.
Subtle Yet Deadly Design
Each of the pagers, weighing about three ounces, contained a small but potent explosive that was nearly impossible to detect, even during a battery pack examination. Hezbollah’s attempts to dismantle the devices revealed their complicated nature, with some pagers possibly passing through X-ray checks unnoticed.
As tensions remain high, Israel has initiated a ground incursion into southern Lebanon in response to prolonged hostilities with Hezbollah, which has escalated attacks on northern Israeli territories in support of Hamas, following the group’s unprecedented assault on October 7, 2023.
This attack resulted in the loss of around 1,200 lives in Israel, with ongoing military operations leading to significant fatalities and humanitarian crises in Gaza. Reports state that over 41,000 people have died in the strip since the onset of Israel’s aggressive response, which includes extensive airstrikes.
With recent developments in the region, including Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon, the situation remains volatile. UN Secretary General António Guterres noted the strategic intent behind the pagers’ detonation, suggesting it was a preemptive move preceding a major military operation.
Israeli forces have recently targeted Hezbollah locations around Beirut, leading to an intense night of strikes that have intensified the conflict even further.