20 Killed, Hundreds Injured In Pager Blasts; Qatar Airways Bans Walkie-Talkies On Lebanon Flights
The country saw a series of devastating explosions on Tuesday, caused by the pagers manufactured by Hungary-based BAC Consulting, believed to be Israel's shell company. The blasts killed at least 20 people, besides hundreds who were injured. This attack has left Israel behind and it is believed that Israeli intelligence agencies planned this attack to disrupt Hezbollah's communication network, and the seriousness of security concerns also loom over the standpoint of the ongoing conflict in the region.
Role Of BAC Consulting
BAC Consulting has been revealed as another Israeli front company that was used to conceal the identities of those who manufactured the dangerous pagers. While the company manufactured normal pagers, the pagers intended for Hezbollah were modified to take on explosive batteries. The modified pagers began trickling into Lebanon in small consignments starting in 2022.
Rising Demand For Pagers
After leader Hassan Nasrallah asked his followers to switch from cellphones to pagers so that the Israeli spies won't track them, demand for BAC's pagers shot up. Thousands of the devices were distributed to Hezbollah members and their supporters, making the situation even more complicated.
On Tuesday, explosions rocked the nation as pagers exploded after their users received what they thought were ordinary messages from Hezbollah. The scene at hospitals including details of grave injuries-a blown-out eye and amputations-describes the scenes in Beirut.
Hezbollah's Vulnerability
According to experts, such attacks have severely hampered Hezbollah's communications capabilities. Most feel the attack might have planted explosives in the pagers when they were produced or during shipping to Hezbollah.
Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate against the attacks, labeling them a 'criminal act' by Israel. It now faces major questions on the security of its operations.
Lebanon Implements New Regulations
Within days of the bombings that took place last week, the Lebanese government moved and therefore banned pagers and walkie-talkies on flights headed to Beirut. The Lebanese Aviation Authority told airlines to ban pagers and walkie-talkies from flying until further notice.
Qatar Airways said starting immediately that passengers boarding flights from Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) must not carry any of the prohibited items. The ban applies to all baggage check-in bags as well as carry-ons.
Pager bombings in Lebanon have killed and injured many people, but they have revealed weaknesses in Hezbollah's communication infrastructure. As the crisis develops, this event will likely be felt across the region. As Hezbollah makes its threats and Lebanon activates its new security programs, the Middle East is precarious about peace.
