Beepers that exploded during Hezbollah attack had explosives, investigation finds

An investigation by authorities in Lebanon has confirmed that the beepers used by Hezbollah and which exploded, killing 12 people and wounding more than 2,800, contained explosives. According to the New York Times, this attack, which seems straight out of a spy movie, involved a sophisticated infiltration operation.

Taiwanese company Gold Apollo manufactured thousands of AR-924 model “beepers”, in which up to 30 grams of an explosive known as PETN would have been introducedhighly sensitive to heat and friction. At 3:30 p.m., the devices, used by nearly 3,000 Hezbollah members, emitted a message, vibrated for several seconds and then immediately exploded.

“So far, 12 people have been killed and more than 2,800 injured, all members of Hezbollah,” local authorities reported.

Israel’s intelligence services are said to have managed to infiltrate Hezbollah’s supply chain, implanting the explosives and a switch that allowed them to be detonated remotely. However, Gold Apollo representatives have denied these claims, suggesting that responsibility lies with another company based in Hungary.

The Biden administration, cited by the New York Times, has ruled out any involvement in these events. “The United States had no knowledge of or involvement in these incidents, and we are still gathering information and facts,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Blinken also expressed concern that the strikes could derail ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Hamas in Gaza, pointing to the sensitivity of the situation in the region.