Two former Israeli intelligence officers have disclosed startling revelations about how members of the Lebanese Shiite military-political group Hezbollah used Israeli-made pagers and walkie-talkies packed with explosives for over ten years prior to their detonation during surprise attacks in September 2024. The two ex-Mossad agents revealed to CBS News the elaborate scheme where they deceived Hezbollah officials, leading them to acquire thousands of these dangerous devices.
On September 17, 2024, amid rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, thousands of pagers reportedly exploded simultaneously across Lebanon, especially in areas densely populated by Hezbollah members. The blasts resulted in significant destruction, causing dozens of fatalities and injuring thousands. While the Israeli government claimed the operation was targeted only at militants, many innocent civilians were caught up in the chaos, prompting strong condemnation and accusations of war crimes. UN human rights chief Volker Turk called the incident "a war crime," denouncing the method by which these attacks were conducted, emphasizing it violated international humanitarian law.
The background of this operation dates back approximately ten years when the Mossad first devised plans to infiltrate Hezbollah by disguising the origin of certain communication devices. According to Michael, one of the former agents, they managed to sell more than 16,000 walkie-talkies at discounted rates from fictitious companies, substantially contributing to the group's arsenal without their knowledge of the Israelis' involvement.
Michael elaborated, stating, "We have an incredible array of possibilities of creating foreign companies... We create a pretend world. We are a global production company..." This deception involved creating multiple layers of companies untraceable to Israel, portrayed as foreign manufacturers. The operation was enhanced two years prior to the attacks, including pager technology linked to the same deadly strategy.
Promotional materials for the devices included urgent-sounding ringtones, ensuring the users would feel compelled to check incoming messages. Gabriel, the second ex-agent, revealed this was part of their strategy to maximize the impact of the explosive devices. "When they are buying from us, they have zero clue they are buying from Mossad," he said, articulately framing the psychological manipulation involved.
The attacks couldn't have come at a tenser moment. Following Hamas' unprecedented assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, Israel found itself embroiled in increasing hostilities with Hezbollah, making the detonation of these explosive devices even more devastating. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the country's involvement two months later, acknowledging their tactical operation against the Shiite group.
The second day of attacks saw walkie-talkies exploding shortly afterward, compounding the crisis. Hospitals struggled to care for the sudden influx of casualties, many of whom sustained catastrophic injuries. Reports indicated considerable civilian suffering, including those unfortunate enough to be present when the devices detonated.
On November 26, amid the chaos of retaliatory airstrikes and ground invasions initiated by Israel against Hezbollah strongholds and under the pretext of national security, the two sides reached a ceasefire. This development, albeit temporary, underscored the scale of the conflict, which had reached alarming proportions.
The reverberations from these explosions and the surrounding circumstances only intensified the already fraught relations between Lebanon and Israel. International voices of concern grew louder, especially following Turk's adamant condemnation of the strikes. He noted, "The way these attacks were carried out violates international human rights and humanitarian law," insisting on the necessity for accountability.
The Israeli narrative surrounding these events highlights the strategic accomplishments of its intelligence agencies, including the Mossad, alongside the necessary measures to protect its citizens at home. Yet the human cost and the collateral damage accompanying such clandestine operations reveal the complex moral and ethical dilemmas generated by modern warfare.
For observers of the conflict, this incident serves as both cautionary and illuminating. Again, it highlights how intelligence agencies are entwined within the fabric of conflict, where technological manipulation and foresighted planning can lead to devastating consequences for entire communities.
The interplay of technology, deceit, and warfare reminds the world of the challenges inherent to contemporary conflict dynamics and the pressing call for international discourse to address the ramifications of such covert operations.
