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2024 Lebanon electronic device attacks

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2024 Lebanon electronic device attacks
Part of the Israel–Hezbollah conflict and the spillover of the Israel–Hamas war
LocationLebanon and Syria
Date17 September 2024
c. 15:30 EEST (UTC+3)
TargetHezbollah members[1][2]
Weaponpagers with explosives inside
Deaths9[3]
Injured2,750+[4][5]
Perpetrator Israel (presumed)

On 17 September 2024, around 15:30 local time, thousands of handheld pagers used by Hezbollah, a Lebanese political party and militant group, simultaneously exploded across Lebanon and Syria.[6][7][8][9] At least nine were killed and over 2,750 wounded,[4][10][5] including Hezbollah members and civilians.[9][11][12] A Hezbollah official told the National News Agency that the incident was the organization's "biggest security breach yet."[13]

The blasts affected several areas in Lebanon including Beirut's Dahieh suburb, southern Lebanon, and in the Beqaa Valley, which are considered to have a Hezbollah presence.[14][15][16] Additionally, explosions were reported in Damascus, Syria. It is not clear if only Hezbollah members were carrying the pagers.[17] Around 150 hospitals across Lebanon received victims of the attack, which saw chaotic scenes.[18][19] Among those killed were two Hezbollah operatives and the 10-year-old daughter of a Hezbollah operative.[13][20][21]

In February 2024, the secretary-general of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, told the group's members to use pagers instead of cell phones, claiming that Israel had infiltrated their cell phone network.[22][23] Hezbollah then bought a new brand of pagers, Gold Apollo AR-924 models, which were recently imported to Lebanon.[11][24][25][26] According to the Associated Press, experts believe that the devices were possibly rigged with explosives prior to arriving in Lebanon.[27]

Background

Main article: Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)

A day after Hamas launched its 7 October attacks on Israel, the Iranian-backed militant organization Hezbollah, then unprovoked,[28] joined the conflict in support of Hamas[29] by firing on Israeli towns like Safed and Nahariya,[28] and other Israeli positions.[30] Since then, Hezbollah and Israel have been involved in cross-border military exchanges that have displaced entire communities in Israel and Lebanon, with significant damage to buildings and land along the border. As of 5 July 2024, Israel reports having killed approximately 366 Hezbollah operatives. According to the United Nations, over 90,000 people in Lebanon have been forced to flee their homes, while in Israel 60,000 civilians have been evacuated.[31] Israel and Hezbollah have maintained their attacks at a level that causes significant harm without escalating into a full-scale war.[32] From 7 October 2023 to 21 June 2024, Israel attacked Lebanon 6,124 times. Hezbollah and other Lebanese forces attacked Israel 1,258 times.[33]

Some Hezbollah members had used pagers for years prior to the 7 October attacks, but more members began using them after the attacks, as Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah told them that Israel had penetrated their cellphone network. In February 2024, he called on members to stop using smartphones, citing Israel's capability to infiltrate them.[22][23] After this statement, Hezbollah bought the pagers, which were a new brand and were recently imported to Lebanon.[24][11] Additionally, it was reported that the devices were compromised in Iran before being sent to Lebanon.[34] The pagers were the AR-924 model from the Taiwanese company Gold Apollo.[25][26] However, the founder of Gold Apollo said they were assembled by a company named BAC in Europe that had the right to Gold Apollo's brand.[35]

Earlier on 17 September 2024, just a few hours before the explosions, the Security Cabinet of Israel established a new war objective: the safe return of displaced residents to the north. This goal was added to the two existing objectives—dismantling Hamas and securing the release of hostages taken during the 7 October attacks.[36][37] Israel's domestic security agency, the Shin Bet, announced it had thwarted a Hezbollah plot to assassinate a former senior defense official using an explosive device.[38][39]

Explosions

On 17 September 2024 at around 15:30 local time,[27] many communication pagers across Syria and Lebanon unexpectedly exploded in an apparent coordinated attack on Hezbollah members, many of whom were seriously wounded.[6][15][13] At least nine people were confirmed killed in Lebanon, while 2,750 were wounded.[40] Civilians were also killed.[10][9][11][12] It is not clear if only Hezbollah members were carrying the pagers.[17] A government security source reported that the injured were "primarily" members of Hezbollah.[41] The Lebanese Health Minister said that the victims included civilians.[42]

An Associated Press report indicated that the devices were possibly rigged with explosives prior to arriving in Lebanon.[43] Reuters reported an anonymous Lebanese source as claiming the devices had a board inserted into them which could detonate up to three grams of explosive upon receiving a code.[44][45] Other reports say that the device vibrated and showed an error message on the screen, and only detonated when the user pressed a button to clear the error, increasing the chance that the operator of the device would be holding it, and not someone else.[43]

The explosions occurred in several areas where Hezbollah has a strong presence,[43] including its stronghold of Dahieh in Beirut; southern Lebanon; and the Beqaa Valley,[15][13][16] where explosions were reported in the towns of Aali en Nahri and Riyaq.[16] In Syria, explosions of pagers were also reported in the vicinity of Damascus.[46] The blasts reportedly persisted for up to 30 minutes following the initial detonations, intensifying the resulting chaos.[14]

Witnesses reported seeing multiple individuals bleeding from their wounds in the aftermath of the blasts.[15] In one instance, an explosion occurred inside the trouser pockets of a man standing outside a shop.[47] Photos and videos circulating on social media and local media from Beirut's southern suburbs showed individuals lying on the ground with injuries on their hands or near their pockets.[48] The son of Lebanese politician Ali Ammar was killed; Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati visited southern Beirut to pay respects to him.[22]

Around 150 hospitals across Lebanon received victims of the attack, which saw chaotic scenes.[19][18] Hospitals in southern Lebanon, the Beqaa Valley, and Beirut's southern suburbs were overwhelmed with patients, many suffering from injuries to the face, hands and stomach.[49] In response, Lebanon's Ministry of Health advised individuals with pagers to dispose of them and instructed hospitals to remain on "high alert".[16] It also called on health workers to report to work and asked them not to use wireless devices.[27][11] The Lebanese state-run National News Agency appealed for blood donations.[50] Ambulance crews were deployed from the northern cities of Tripoli and Al-Qalamoun to help in Beirut.[11]

Casualties

Nine people were killed after the attacks,[51][52] and more than 2,750 were wounded.[53][5] Civilians were also killed.[10][9][11][12] It is not clear if only Hezbollah members were carrying the pagers.[17] The Lebanese Health Minister said the vast majority of those being treated in emergency rooms were in civilian clothing and their Hezbollah affiliation was unclear.[42] The Minister added the casualties included elderly people as well as young children. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, healthcare workers were also injured,.[42] and it advised all healthcare workers to discard their pagers.[54]

Mojtaba Amini, Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, was severely wounded and lost one eye after a pager he was carrying exploded. According to two IRGC members, he will be evacuated to Tehran for further medical treatment.[55]

Analysis

CNN suggested that the operation was likely intended to instill paranoia among Hezbollah members, undermine their recruitment efforts, and weaken confidence in Hezbollah's leadership and its ability to protect its operations and personnel.[56] John Miller, CNN's Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst, stated the message for Hezbollah was: "We can reach you anywhere, anytime, at the day and moment of our choosing and we can do it at the press of a button."[56]

Lebanese journalist Kim Ghattas, who also contributes to The Atlantic, spoke to CNN, suggesting that the incident could be an effort "to cow Hezbollah into submission, and make clear that an increase of their attacks against Israel will be met with even further violence." She noted that it might act as a precursor to a large-scale Israeli campaign, especially as Hezbollah contends with the chaos from this "science-fiction-like attack" on its operatives.[56]

Responses

Lebanon

A senior Lebanese security source told Al-Hadath that Israel had infiltrated the communication systems of individual devices, leading to their detonation.[14] The office of Prime Minister Mikati said the incident was a criminal "violation of Lebanese sovereignty" by Israel.[22] The Lebanese government contacted the United Nations and certain countries, asking them to hold Israel responsible for the attack.[11] Schools will close in Lebanon on 18 September.[11] Hezbollah blamed Israel for the explosions, which it described as "criminal aggression" and pledged a "just retribution".[49] A Hezbollah official told the National News Agency that the incident was the organization's "biggest security breach yet."[13]

Israel

The Israel Defense Forces declined to comment when approached by the Associated Press.[43] Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi held a meeting with Israeli generals to discuss "preparation for defensive and offensive operations on all fronts".[22] Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid cut short his trip to the United States, planning to return to Israel.[11]

United Nations

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN special coordinator for Lebanon, condemned the attack, saying "civilians are not a target and must be protected at all times".[57] Stéphane Dujarric, the Secretary-General's spokesperson, said the organization deplored the civilian casualties and warned of the risks of escalation in the region.[58][59]

Other governments

Hamas blamed Israel for the pager explosions, which it called a "crime that defies all laws". In a statement, Hamas praised Hezbollah's "efforts and sacrifices" and said "this terrorist act is part of the Zionist enemy's larger aggression on the region".[60]

Iran referred to the attacks as "Israeli terrorism" and pledged to provide medical assistance to those affected.[11] Jordan also offered medical assistance.[11]

The United States denied involvement in the mass explosions and said that it was not aware of the attacks in advance. The United States also urged Iran to refrain from retaliating for the mass explosions.[61] White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre stressed the need for a diplomatic solution between Israel and Hezbollah.[60]

Private sector

Air France and Lufthansa suspended flights to Tel Aviv, citing the security situation caused by the attacks.[11]

References

  1. ^ https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-pager-explosion-e9493409a0648b846fdcadffdb02d71e
  2. ^ https://www.aljazeera.com/program/newsfeed/2024/9/17/exploding-pagers-injure-thousands-in-lebanon-in-attack-targeting-hezbollah
  3. ^ Belam, Martin; Lowe, Yohannes; Chao-Fong, Léonie; Ambrose, Tom; Graham-Harrison, Emma; Sabbagh, Dan; Wintour, Patrick (17 September 2024). "Lebanon attacks 'an extremely concerning escalation', says UN official, as Hezbollah threatens retaliation – live". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Hezbollah hit by a wave of exploding pagers and blames Israel. At least 9 dead, thousands injured". Associated Press. 17 September 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Dimash in explosion of communication devices of Hezbollah". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 18 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Video shows pagers exploding in Lebanon attack". The New York Times. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
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  10. ^ a b c "Several killed, thousands injured as vast wave of pager explosions strikes Hezbollah". The Times of Israel. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024. In Syria, seven people were killed in the coordinated attack, according to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-affiliated Saberin News.
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  35. ^ Blanchard, Ben (17 September 2024). "Gold Apollo says it did not make pagers used in Lebanon explosions". Reuters. Retrieved 17 September 2024. Hsu said the pagers used in the explosion were made by a company in Europe that had the right to use the Taiwanese firm's brand.
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  60. ^ a b Najjar, Farah. "Nine killed, 2,750 wounded in Hezbollah pager blasts across Lebanon". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
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