Around 4:00 PM, simultaneous explosions occurred in pagers (commonly known as “beepers”) used by Hezbollah operatives. Most of the explosions caught the operatives off guard, leading to severe injuries. Since beepers are typically worn close to the thigh, where major arteries are located, the resulting injuries caused significant strain on hospitals in Beirut and other cities, creating chaos and triggering high alert within Hezbollah. It is currently known that between 3,000 to 4,000 people were injured, including several hundred in critical condition, and at least 11 militants were killed, marking Hezbollah’s deadliest day since the start of the war.
So far, no official data has been released on the extent of the damage, the cause of the explosions, or those responsible. Most information comes from local and foreign media. While no official entity has claimed responsibility, it is difficult not to link the event to Israel, especially after statements from both the Defense Minister and the Prime Minister just a day earlier, indicating their intent to change the situation on the northern front. Israeli forces and the Ministry of Defense remain on high alert, but no Israeli source has taken responsibility for the incident.
How Was the Explosion Carried Out?
Some suggest that the explosion was caused by the controlled detonation of the beeper’s lithium battery through the emission of a special electromagnetic signal in Lebanon. A more plausible theory claims that each device had a few dozen grams of explosives hidden inside, which could be remotely detonated via a special signal. These explosives were likely implanted somewhere along the supply chain by a foreign entity, as the pagers were manufactured and imported from Taiwan.
Why Was This Intelligence Capability Used Now?
Some argue that the operation was carried out to put more pressure on Hezbollah, delivering a blow that might make the group more open to considering options for ending the war. Others claim that heightened alert was detected within Hezbollah yesterday, suggesting that this was a preemptive strike. The most logical explanation, reported this morning, is that the IDF realized some Hezbollah operatives were beginning to suspect that their pagers had been compromised. As a result, the decision was made to immediately execute the classified capability, even at the risk of escalating into a full-scale war with Hezbollah.
Whatever the reason, the operation showcased Israeli intelligence’s strength and sophistication more than ever before, sending a clear message to Hezbollah about its vulnerability. The logical course of action for Hezbollah at this point would be to cut its losses, pull back, and conduct thorough investigations—because who knows what other surprises Israel might have in store for them.
