The deadly explosion of pagers in Lebanon, killing nine and injuring thousands, might have been triggered by a security breach by Hezbollah, according to a report by Axios. US officials cited concerns that Hezbollah had discovered Israel’s plan to use booby-trapped pagers as a surprise attack, prompting a hasty detonation.
The report claims that Israeli intelligence had infiltrated Hezbollah ranks with the pagers, intending to weaken the group in the event of an all-out war. However, Israeli officials became apprehensive that Hezbollah had uncovered the operation, fearing the risk of losing their weaponized asset. This led to a decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his top advisors to detonate the devices earlier than planned.
“It was a use it or lose it moment,” a US official told Axios.
The operation resulted in an unprecedented security breach for Hezbollah, injuring nearly 3,000 people, including many of their fighters and Iran’s envoy to Beirut. While the origin of the pagers was initially traced back to Taiwan-based Gold Apollo, the company clarified that they were manufactured by a Hungarian company called BAC, which holds a license to use their brand.
Adding to the intrigue, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reportedly called US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin minutes before the explosions to inform him about an upcoming “operation in Lebanon,” without providing specifics. However, the US clarified that they were not aware of the operation and were not involved.
The incident highlights the delicate and often dangerous nature of international relations and the potential for unforeseen consequences from covert operations. It also raises questions about the effectiveness and consequences of using such methods in conflict.
