How did Israel turn Hezbollah’s pagers into deadly weapons?

Israel orchestrated the recent explosions of Hezbollah-linked pagers and walkie-talkies in Lebanon, according to defense and intelligence sources, leading to the deaths of at least 32 people and injuring thousands. The blasts, which unfolded over two days, specifically targeted Hezbollah operatives but also claimed civilian lives, including children.

The operation, which Israeli authorities have neither confirmed nor denied, involved a complex scheme that wasn’t a spontaneous strike but a well-prepared and long-term strategy.  Israeli intelligence had planned the infiltration for years, beginning with creating a shell company, B.A.C. Consulting, that posed as an international pager manufacturer.  B.A.C., along with two other front companies, distributed the booby-trapped devices to Hezbollah. These pagers and walkie-talkies contained batteries laced with PETN, a powerful explosive.    

The devices, which Hezbollah had adopted after banning cellphones, were triggered remotely by Israel. The explosions started when the pagers began beeping, seemingly alerting Hezbollah members to a message from their leadership. However, within seconds, the devices detonated, causing chaos and devastation in streets, homes, and shops across Lebanon.

Israel’s strategy of planting explosive devices underscores its use of advanced technology to undermine Iranian-backed groups like Hezbollah. This marks the latest escalation in the decades-long conflict between the two, as tensions rise across the region.

Source: New York Times