The Israeli intelligence services have been contemplating an operation similar to the mass explosions of Hezbollah electronic devices for at least 15 years according to a US intelligence source. The blasts left thousands injured and dozens killed, with many victims mutilated. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the attack, which is widely described as a Mossad plot involving remotely-triggered explosive charges.
Speaking to ABC News, a US source called it a “supply chain interdiction,” adding that the CIA has long been reluctant to employ similar tactics due to the risk of collateral damage. The supply of sabotaged devices started in summer 2023, with multiple officials familiar with the operation citing BAC Consulting, a Hungarian-based firm subcontracted by Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Gold Apollo to produce pagers for Hezbollah, as an Israeli front.
The devices were never in Hungary and BAC was “a trading intermediary, with no manufacturing or operational site” in the country according to a spokesperson for the Budapest government. The Taiwanese administration has also distanced itself from the wave of violence in Lebanon, stating that the components were not made in Taiwan.
Beirut and the Hezbollah leadership have blamed Israel for the incident and declared Lebanon is now in a state of war with its neighbor. The IDF intensified cross-border fire into Lebanon on Thursday, raising fears of a major ground invasion. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a “new phase in the war” with the militant movement while an Israeli commando division previously involved in military action in Gaza moved to the north amid sharpening tensions.