Hezbollah Pager Explosions Kill Nine and Wound Thousands in Alleged Israeli Operation

Ambulances arrive to American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) as more than 1,000 people, including Hezbollah fighters and medics, were wounded when the pagers they use to communicate exploded across Lebanon, according to a security source, in Beirut, Lebanon September 17, 2024.

At least nine people were killed and nearly 3,000 injured after pagers used by Hezbollah fighters and medics detonated across Lebanon in a coordinated attack on Tuesday. The explosions, which began around 3:30 p.m., affected Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut’s Dahiyeh suburbs and the Bekaa Valley, lasting about an hour. Residents and witnesses reported hearing blasts as late as 4:30 p.m.

Pagers on display at a meeting room at the Gold Apollo company building in New Taipei City, Taiwan, September 18, 2024.

Footage reviewed by Reuters showed that some detonations occurred after the pagers rang, prompting users to inspect the devices before they exploded. The blasts were relatively contained, causing devastating injuries to individuals wearing the pagers but little structural damage to surrounding buildings.

The devices, allegedly rigged by Israel’s Mossad, were believed to have small amounts of explosives hidden within them, according to Lebanese security sources. These pagers, sourced from Taiwan-based Gold Apollo, were modified before being brought into Lebanon earlier this year. However, Gold Apollo denied making the specific devices used in the blasts, stating that a European manufacturer with the rights to its brand produced the pagers.

A man on a motorcycle injured by one of the explosive devices.

While Hezbollah has launched an investigation, experts remain skeptical of claims that battery malfunctions alone caused the explosions. Analysts suggest Israel infiltrated the pager supply chain, hiding explosives in the devices to sabotage Hezbollah’s communication network. This tactic aligns with Israel’s history of targeting enemies through explosive devices in personal electronics.

First responders carry a man injured by an exploding pager in Sidon, Lebanon.

Hezbollah, backed by Iran, vowed that Israel would "receive its fair punishment" but did not provide further details. Meanwhile, the incident raises concerns of escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, though experts believe both sides are currently working to avoid an all-out war.