X

Unraveling the Mystery: The Global Web Behind Lebanon's Deadly Pager Explosions

Unraveling the Mystery: The Global Web Behind Lebanon's Deadly Pager Explosions
Wednesday 18 September 2024 - 09:03
Zoom

In the aftermath of the devastating explosions that rocked Lebanon on Tuesday, a complex web of international connections has emerged, raising questions about the origin of the pagers used by Hezbollah militants. As the death toll rose to at least nine, with over 2,750 others injured, including Iran's ambassador, the blame game began, with Hezbollah pointing fingers at Israel.

The trail leads to Taiwan, where electronics manufacturer Gold Apollo has denied any involvement. Company founder Hsu Ching-kuang asserted that the pagers were produced by another licensed entity, BAC Consulting, based in Hungary. BAC's CEO, Cristiana Bársony-Arcidiacono, confirmed the collaboration but distanced herself from the pager production, claiming to be merely an intermediary.

Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs revealed that Gold Apollo had exported a significant number of pagers to European and American markets, with no records of direct exports to Lebanon. The ministry spokesperson expressed uncertainty about whether the pagers had been modified or if another manufacturer had used the Apollo brand.

The timing of the explosions is particularly concerning, as tensions between Israel and Lebanon have been escalating, with cross-border attacks since the Israel-Hamas war began last October. Lebanon's foreign ministry condemned what it called an "Israeli cyber attack," vowing to file a complaint with the UN Security Council.

Hezbollah, which opposes Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip, has been engaged in a deadly standoff with Israel, and its members have long avoided using cellphones, fearing Israeli tracking. The group has promised a "severe reckoning" for the explosions, which it claims were orchestrated by Israel.

As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about the true origin of the pagers and the extent of the global supply chain involved. With the death toll rising and tensions escalating, the need for answers becomes increasingly urgent.


Read more