Israel explodes Hezbollah pagers: Israels long-term strategy to disrupt Hezbollahs communications culminated in a deadly operation in September, killing over 30 members of the Iran-backed militant group. New revelations show that Israel had spent nearly a decade booby-trapping Hezbollahs pagers and walkie-talkies, enabling both surveillance and remote detonation capabilities.Years of preparation and precisionAccording to a Washington Post report, Israeli intelligence agency Mossad first laid the groundwork for this operation in 2015, by secretly introducing pagers and walkie-talkies into Hezbollahs communication networks. For years, Israels primary goal was to eavesdrop on Hezbollahs activities. However, they also equipped the devices with explosives, awaiting the right moment to strike.“For nine years, the Israelis contented themselves with eavesdropping on Hezbollah, while reserving the option to turn the walkie-talkies into bombs in a future crisis,” reported the Post, citing intelligence officials.Another view of one of the pagers exploding on the body of a Hezbollah terrorist in Beirut just now.I dont mean to victim blame, but like - pagers What were you thinking Hope your blackberries are safe, fu**ers. pic.twitter.com/uQlWXZXoau— Yael Bar tur 🎗️ (@yaelbt) September 17, 2024Septembers deadly blastsOn September 17 and 18, 2023, Israel executed its plan. Thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies exploded, killing dozens and injuring thousands. According to the Post, these seemingly ordinary devices were sold to Hezbollah two years earlier under the guise of advanced communication tools. However, Mossad had rigged the slightly bulky pagers with explosives, designed to detonate when users interacted with them.The devices were especially dangerous due to their two-step decryption system, which required users to hold the pager with both hands. When Mossad activated the detonators, most users were incapacitated with severe injuries to their hands, rendering them unable to fight.Mossads deception and covert salesHezbollah, long wary of Israeli surveillance, trusted the Apollo AR924 pagers, a product from a reputable Taiwanese company. Mossad exploited this trust, ensuring the pagers had no obvious ties to Israel. A Middle Eastern marketing agent with connections to Apollo, who was unaware of Mossads plan, facilitated the sale to Hezbollah. The devices, however, had been secretly manufactured in Israel under the agencys supervision.
