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:

» Published:

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

Share this article

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

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Trump Urges Israel to Be Cautious After Qatar Attack

Trump Urges Israel to Be Cautious After Qatar Attack

Far-Right AFD Gains in German Local Elections as CDU Holds Lead

Far-Right AFD Gains in German Local Elections as CDU Holds Lead

Lula Defends Bolsonaro Verdict as Upholding Democracy, Not a Witch Hunt

Lula Defends Bolsonaro Verdict as Upholding Democracy, Not a Witch Hunt

Over 100,000 Join Pro-Palestinian Protest in Madrid, Disrupting Cycling Event

Over 100,000 Join Pro-Palestinian Protest in Madrid, Disrupting Cycling Event

Massive Ankara Protest Backs Turkish Opposition Amid Court Case

Massive Ankara Protest Backs Turkish Opposition Amid Court Case

Romania Summons Russian Ambassador Over Drone Airspace Violation

Romania Summons Russian Ambassador Over Drone Airspace Violation

Kirk Murder Suspect Tyler Robinson Not Cooperating with Authorities

Kirk Murder Suspect Tyler Robinson Not Cooperating with Authorities

Qatar Calls for Punishment of Israel After Attack in Doha

Qatar Calls for Punishment of Israel After Attack in Doha

Starmer Condemns Violence and Racism After London Protest

Starmer Condemns Violence and Racism After London Protest

Russian Fishing Vessel Rescued After Power Failure in Danish Waters

Russian Fishing Vessel Rescued After Power Failure in Danish Waters

Ukraine Linked to Russian Train Sabotage Causing Fatalities and Disruptions

Ukraine Linked to Russian Train Sabotage Causing Fatalities and Disruptions

Gaza Residents Flee Amid Escalating Conflict and Overcrowded Camps

Gaza Residents Flee Amid Escalating Conflict and Overcrowded Camps

Explosion in Madrid Leaves One Dead and 25 Injured

Explosion in Madrid Leaves One Dead and 25 Injured

Ukrainian Drones Target Major Russian Oil Refinery Near St. Petersburg

Ukrainian Drones Target Major Russian Oil Refinery Near St. Petersburg

15 Dead in Truck Crash Involving Passenger Car in Southeastern Mexico

15 Dead in Truck Crash Involving Passenger Car in Southeastern Mexico

Nepal's First Female Leader Sushila Karki Promises Six-Month Term

Nepal's First Female Leader Sushila Karki Promises Six-Month Term

Memorial Service for Charlie Kirk in Arizona on September 21

Memorial Service for Charlie Kirk in Arizona on September 21

Love Motive Suspected in Charlie Kirk's Murder Investigation

Love Motive Suspected in Charlie Kirk's Murder Investigation

US Expert: Polarization No Longer Describes America's Divisions

US Expert: Polarization No Longer Describes America's Divisions

New Vaccine Offers Hope Against Chlamydia for Australia's Koalas

New Vaccine Offers Hope Against Chlamydia for Australia's Koalas