At least nine people were killed and nearly 3,000 injured in Lebanon after thousands of wireless communication devices, known as pagers, used by Hezbollah members exploded on Tuesday. According to a senior Lebanese security source, Israel’s Mossad spy agency allegedly planted explosives inside 5,000 Taiwan-made pagers that were ordered by the Iran-backed militant group months before the blasts.
What Is a Pager?
A pager, also known as a “beeper,” is a small, portable device used for receiving short messages over a radio frequency signal. Before the widespread use of mobile phones, pagers were essential communication tools, especially for professionals such as doctors, journalists, and technicians. These devices allowed users to receive important messages, even in areas without access to telephones.
How Pagers Work
Pagers operate by receiving radio wave signals that trigger an alert, usually a beep. Early models required the user to find a nearby phone to respond to the message. Over time, pagers evolved, with newer models displaying short messages directly on a small screen.
Why Does Hezbollah Still Use Pagers?
Despite their obsolescence, Hezbollah continues to rely on pagers as part of their communication network. The group’s use of these devices stems from the belief that pagers are a more secure, low-tech alternative to modern mobile phones, which are easily trackable by advanced surveillance technologies such as those used by Israeli intelligence.
The Mossad Connection
According to the Lebanese security source, Hezbollah had ordered 5,000 pagers from a Taiwan-based company called Gold Apollo. These pagers were allegedly rigged with explosives by Mossad and were brought into Lebanon earlier this year, leading to the deadly blasts.
Vulnerability Exposed
The recent cyberattack targeting Hezbollah has shed light on the risks of relying on outdated technology. The explosions have not only raised security concerns but also highlighted how adversaries can exploit such vulnerabilities to cause widespread damage.
As Lebanon reels from the aftermath, questions about the future of secure communications and the risks associated with outdated technology like pagers remain at the forefront of security discussions.