Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, the city of Lebanon went into shock after thousands of pagers that were kept in people's pockets and hands suddenly started exploding in homes, streets, and markets. Lebanon Pagers Blast took place on September 17, 2024. The series of pager blasts continued for about 1 hour from Lebanon to Syria. At least 11 people died in the blasts, while more than 3000 were injured. As per reports, these were serial pager blasts targeting Hezbollah, but common people also got injured in the attack The Iranian ambassador is also among the injured. Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the blasts and the country's secret service Mossad has come into the spotlight yet again. Now the question arises how Israel hacked Hezbollah's pagers or how Israel carried out serial pagers blast targeting Hezbollah? Below is what we know so far-
Why does Hezbollah use pagers?
Hezbollah occupies most of the areas of Lebanon. This organization has asked its fighters not to use mobile phones to avoid the danger of hacking and attacks. This is why people in Lebnon especially Hezbollah operatives use pagers.
A pager is a wireless device, which is also known as a beeper. In 1950, the pager was used for the first time in New York City. Then it was possible to send messages through it in a range of 40 kilometers. It started being used all over the world in the 1980s.
After 2000, walkie-talkies and mobile phones replaced it. The pager screen is usually small, with limited keypads. It is used to send messages in two ways - 1. Voice message 2. Alphanumeric message. Media reports are claiming that the pagers that exploded in Lebanon are alphanumeric.
Radio waves are used to send messages from pagers. It is sent through a transmitter installed at the base station. Advanced pagers are given code numbers like phone numbers. On dialing that code, messages are transferred only to that pager. It is a very secure medium of conversation, which cannot be easily traced by any security agency. To trace such a device, it is necessary to be in its range.
How Hezollah's pagers were allegedly hacked by Israel's Mossad?
As per US media New York Times, Israel carried out a serial pager blast in Lebanon on Tuesday. Israeli operatives reportedly hide explosive material within a new batch of Taiwanese-made pagers imported into Lebanon. The pagers, which Hezbollah had ordered from Gold Apollo in Taiwan, had been tampered with before they reached Lebanon. Most were the company’s AR924 model, though three other Gold Apollo models were also included in the shipment.
The explosive material, as little as one to two ounces, was implanted next to the battery in each pager. A switch was also embedded that could be triggered remotely to detonate the explosives. The devices were programmed to beep for several seconds before exploding.
Hezbollah's response to pagers serial blast
Lebanon's Information Minister Ziad Makary called the explosions an act of "Israeli aggression". Hezbollah said two of its fighters were among the dead and threatened a "just punishment" for Israel. Later media reports said the son of the Hezbollah MP Ali Ammar also died in the explosions. A Hezbollah source was quoted by IANS saying they believed the attack was in response to an alleged assassination attempt by the Shia militia on a former top Israeli defence official, revealed on Tuesday by the Israeli Shin Bet security agency.
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