(MENAFN- Live Mint) Hezbollah faced a significant setback as a series of pager explosions rocked Lebanon, resulting in eleven fatalities and over 2,700 injuries. This alarming incident, which also affected Syria, coincided with Israel's renewed focus on combating Hezbollah following intense airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza.
On Tuesday, a series of deadly blasts began at about 15:30 local time and lasted for around an hour.
As tensions rise in the region, the implications of these attacks could reshape the ongoing conflict.
Also Read | 11 die as Hezbollah pagers explode across Lebanon in 'Israeli breach'
What are pagers, why are they used? Pagers are a mode of communication that cannot be hacked. The devices display a short text message for the user, relayed by telephone through a central operator.
Unlike mobile phones, pagers work on radio waves, the operator sending a message by radio frequency – rather than the internet – unique to the recipient's device.
It is thought that the basic technology used in pagers as well as their reliance upon physical hardware means they are harder to monitor, making them popular with groups such as Hezbollah where both mobility and security are paramount.
Also Read | Hezbollah vows 'fair punishment' to Israel as deadly pager blasts kill 11
How Israel's Mossad planted explosives in pagers? Hezbollah's recent communications strategy took a dangerous turn when it was revealed that the group's pagers, ordered from Taiwanese manufacturer Gold Apollo, had been tampered with. According to reports from The New York Times and Reuters, Israel's Mossad spy agency implanted small amounts of explosive RDX (hexogen) in 5,000 pagers before they arrived in Lebanon.
Most of the devices were the AR924 model, with three additional models included in the shipment. The devices were programmed to beep for several seconds before exploding, NYT said.
The explosives, reportedly as little as 3 grams, were strategically placed next to the battery in each pager. A remote-trigger switch was also embedded, allowing for the detonation of the explosives.
Also Read | Pagers that exploded in Lebanon, Syria made by Budapest company - 10 points
What is RDX? Royal Demolition Explosive (RDX), also known as cyclonite or hexogen, is a highly powerful white powder commonly used in military applications. Classified as a nitroamine, RDX is more energetic than traditional explosives like TNT and is often utilized in demolition and munitions due to its stability and effectiveness.
How did Mossad cause pagers to explode at the same time? At 3:30 p.m. in Lebanon, the pagers received a message that appeared as though it was coming from Hezbollah's leadership, NYT reported. Instead, the message activated the explosives.
Some speculation has focused on the radio network that pagers rely on, suggesting that it may have been hacked, causing the system to emit a signal that triggered a response within the already doctored pagers.
The modification allegedly done by Mossad included a remote-trigger mechanism in the pager that was activated by a seemingly innocuous message received on the pagers.
The devices were programmed to emit three beeps before exploding, NYT reported.
Also Read | What is Hezbollah, the Lebanese group hit by exploding pagers? How do pagers explode?
If a pager's lithium battery overheats, it can initiate a process called thermal runaway, resulting in a chemical chain reaction that increases temperature and can lead to a violent explosion. However, triggering this reaction in multiple devices that have never been connected to the internet is a complex challenge.
Who manufactured pagers purchased by Hezbollah? The recent pager explosions in Lebanon and Syria were linked to devices manufactured by Budapest-based BAC Consulting KFT, according to a statement from Taiwanese company Gold Apollo, whose branding was featured on the devices.
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