SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

The Pager Attack: This is What We Know

Hundreds, likely thousands, of people have exploded in a coordinated attack in Lebanon. A dozen people have been killed and several thousand have been injured. This is what we know about the attack.

» Updated: September 19 2024

» Published: September 18 2024

The Pager Attack: This is What We Know
Photo: Hassan Ammar/AP/TT

Where and when?

Around 15:30 local time, large quantities of pagers suddenly exploded, allegedly belonging to members of the extremist Islamist Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. The explosions occurred simultaneously in several areas of Lebanon, as well as in Syria. However, the majority took place in areas where Hezbollah has strongholds, such as in Beirut's southern suburbs and the Bekaa Valley.

In many places, the explosions occurred in public areas during the afternoon rush, when many people were buying groceries, sitting in cafes, or caught in traffic. AP photographers report bloody scenes, panic-stricken people, and overcrowded hospitals.

.

How many are dead and injured?

Lebanon's Health Department reports that nine people have been killed. According to sources for AFP, two of the dead are sons of parliament members from Hezbollah's political wing. The sources also report that one of the dead is a young girl who was the daughter of a Hezbollah member.

Among the injured is also Iran's ambassador to Lebanon.

According to Lebanon's Health Minister, a total of 2,750 people have been injured, with around 200 seriously.

.

Why pagers?

After the outbreak of war between Palestinian Hamas and Israel last year, Hezbollah, following a call from leader Hassan Nasrallah, has increasingly abandoned smartphones in favor of more old-fashioned pagers. In this way, they have hoped to avoid surveillance and tracking, primarily from Israel.

The Taiwanese manufacturer Gold Apollo claims that the manipulated pagers did not come from them, but from a company in Europe that had the right to use the company's brand: BAC, based in Budapest, Hungary.

.

How did the explosions occur?

According to Elijah J Magnier, a Brussels-based political risk analyst who AFP interviewed and who has spoken to Hezbollah members whose pagers did not explode, a false message was sent to the pagers. When the pagers began beeping and vibrating, the holders pressed the buttons to stop the signals. Then the explosions occurred due to a small amount of explosives placed inside the pagers.

.

Who is behind the attack?

Hezbollah accuses Israel's intelligence service Mossad of having hidden explosives in the pagers early in the production chain, before the pagers reached Lebanon.

Israel has not publicly commented on the attack.

Since the war in Gaza broke out last autumn, Israel and Hezbollah have attacked each other on a daily basis.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Trump wants Zelensky to hold elections in Ukraine
2 MIN READ

Trump wants Zelensky to hold elections in Ukraine

Poland: USA to maintain forces here
1 MIN READ

Poland: USA to maintain forces here

Russia: No NATO Soldiers in Ukraine
1 MIN READ

Russia: No NATO Soldiers in Ukraine

Sources: Putin hopes for Ukrainian puppet leader
2 MIN READ

Sources: Putin hopes for Ukrainian puppet leader

Hamas: Two Child Hostages Dead
2 MIN READ

Hamas: Two Child Hostages Dead

Iran accuses Britons of espionage
1 MIN READ

Iran accuses Britons of espionage

Fire breaks out deep in silver mine in Finland
1 MIN READ

Fire breaks out deep in silver mine in Finland

Frederiksen: "We will arm massively"
2 MIN READ

Frederiksen: "We will arm massively"

Israel: To Begin Negotiations on Phase Two
3 MIN READ

Israel: To Begin Negotiations on Phase Two

The Pope has double-sided pneumonia
2 MIN READ

The Pope has double-sided pneumonia

Putin may open up for talks with Zelenskyj
2 MIN READ

Putin may open up for talks with Zelenskyj

Over 200 Civilians Killed in Attack in Sudan
1 MIN READ

Over 200 Civilians Killed in Attack in Sudan

282 arrested in major crackdown on PKK
1 MIN READ

282 arrested in major crackdown on PKK

USA and Russia Resume the War "in Due Time"
4 MIN READ

USA and Russia Resume the War "in Due Time"

Multiple bodies found in villages after Israel's withdrawal
2 MIN READ

Multiple bodies found in villages after Israel's withdrawal

Seven dead in collapsed copper mine
1 MIN READ

Seven dead in collapsed copper mine

The backlash shakes up the German election: "Unacceptable"
2 MIN READ

The backlash shakes up the German election: "Unacceptable"

Russia releases 28-year-old arrested American
1 MIN READ

Russia releases 28-year-old arrested American

Sweden participates when Europe meets again
3 MIN READ

Sweden participates when Europe meets again

Bus crashed 800 meters – at least 30 dead
1 MIN READ

Bus crashed 800 meters – at least 30 dead