A wave of explosions ripped through Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday, leaving a trail of devastation and raising serious questions about a potential act of sabotage. The cause of the explosions? Pagers, used by the Iran-backed Hezbollah, seemingly detonated at a specific time, killing at least 11 people and injuring nearly 3,000.
The explosions occurred around 3:30 pm local time, as people were going about their daily routines, shopping, sitting in cafes, or driving. Many reported feeling their pagers heat up before exploding. The pagers, manufactured by BAC Consulting KFT, a Hungarian company, were authorized by Taiwan’s Gold Apollo to use their branding. Gold Apollo emphasized that while they licensed their brand, the design and manufacturing of the pagers were solely BAC’s responsibility.
So, what caused these devices to explode? Analysts believe the pagers were tampered with before they reached Hezbollah. Sources point to the Israeli spy agency, Mossad, as the potential culprit. According to a report, a small amount of PETN, a highly explosive material, was allegedly placed in the batteries of the pagers. The devices were then detonated remotely by heating the batteries from afar.
Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute confirmed this theory, suggesting that Mossad infiltrated the supply chain. He stated, “A small plastic explosive was almost certainly concealed alongside the battery, for remote detonation via a call or page.”
Former CIA analyst Mike Dimino echoed these sentiments, describing the incident as a “classic sabotage.” He suggested that Israeli intelligence likely identified Hezbollah’s communication equipment suppliers and the types of devices they were using. They then allegedly compromised the supply chain, either by posing as a seller or directly inserting tampered devices.
Dimino noted reports about the batteries overheating, but he remained skeptical, saying, “You’d feel the heat + remove it. It’s possible, but pagers are simple devices w/small batteries. I’d assume they were pre-set to explode at a certain time rather than command-detonated.”
Paul Christensen, an expert in lithium-ion battery safety at Newcastle University, also questioned the possibility of battery failure as the cause of the explosions. He stated that such a scenario would involve a small battery bursting into flames, not a fatal explosion. “My intuition is telling me that it’s highly unlikely,” he said.
The incident raises serious concerns about the use of technology as a weapon in a complex geopolitical landscape. It highlights the vulnerabilities of supply chains and the potential for sophisticated espionage tactics to cause widespread damage and loss of life. As investigations continue, the world awaits further details to unravel the truth behind this tragic event.
