Israeli intelligence officers told a journalist from the American station CBS News about the backstage of the September action with exploding Hezbollah pagers. How did the organization manage to buy weapons against itself, which then ended up in the pockets of thousands of fighters?
CBS News calls it one of the most audacious actions in intelligence history and “a modern version of a Trojan horse.” September 17 this year the pagers of thousands of Hezbollah members exploded almost simultaneously. Lesley Stahl, a journalist from the “60 Minutes” program, talked to two recently retired Israeli intelligence officers who led this operation. The men, with masked faces and changed voices, speaking under different names, told the story behind the scenes of selling the devices to Hezbollah, how they were used and the effect they had.
Michael was the commander of the operation that was launched 10 years ago. First, they were explosives placed in walkie-talkie radios. The ones that are attached to tactical vests. As the host of the program noted – close to the heart. The officer admits that Hezbollah itself paid for the devices used as weapons against its fighters. And he gave a “good price” for them. They bought over 16,000 walkie-talkies that the Israeli side had not activated for 10 years. She only did it 3 months ago.
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Hezbollah pagers explode. Behind the scenes of the action
But walkie-talkies are just the beginning. They found something that Hezbollah fighters could carry in their pockets – practically all the time. Pagers. Considered obsolete around the world, they are still used there. In 2022, Mossad discovered that Hezbollah was purchasing pagers from the company na Taiwan. – We had to make them a bit bigger, says Gabriel. Tests were carried out on dummies, which allowed the charge to be selected in such a way as to harm the fighter, but not the person next to him. “When you press the button, the only person who gets hurt is the terrorist himself,” Gabriel says. – Even if his wife or daughter are standing next to him, he will be the only injured person.
But how can Hezbollah start buying new, larger, heavier and less convenient devices? At first, even the Mossad leadership had doubts whether it would be possible. The agents decided to advertise them appropriately. Videos and folders have been created showing that they have better capabilities. They are waterproof and dustproof, their battery lasts longer… Simply the best in the world. So much so that other orders besides Hezbollah began to appear. – Of course, we didn't send them to anyone. We gave a prohibitive price, says Gabriel.
The recipients had no idea that Mossad was behind everything. – It was like 'The Truman Show'. Everything was controlled by us, but everything also looked normal – business people, marketing, engineers, showrooms, everything – assures Gabriel. In addition, the first new pagers were offered to Hezbollah as a free upgrade to old devices.
“Encrypted message” and explosion
By September this year, Hezbollah fighters had 5,000 pagers in their pockets. September 17 at 15.30 all, everywhere Lebanonbegan to simultaneously notify users that they had an “encrypted message”. To “read” it, they had to press two buttons. This caused the devices to explode in their hands. Besides, they exploded even if they didn't press the buttons. – The explosion was triggered in Israel? – Lesley Stahl asked. “Yes,” Gabriel confirmed. The next day, the Mossad activated radio stations that had been inactive for a decade. CBS notes that some have broken out at funerals of people killed by pagers.
As the presenter sums up, 30 people died, including two children. 3 thousand people were injured.
According to the interlocutor, the attack with pagers and radios and the subsequent attack on the Hezbollah command and killing its leader – Nasrallahput the organization in a very difficult position. No chain of command, but also no fighting spirit among the soldiers. Asking, even begging for cease-fire – says Gabriel. Michael adds that the action is also important for Hamas in Gaza. – Now they have no one behind them, they are completely isolated.
The presenter asked about the psychological impact. – The day after the pagers exploded, people in Lebanon were afraid to turn on the air conditioning because they feared it would explode. It was and is real fear. We can't use pagers anymore because we've already done that, but we're moving on. And they have to try to guess what will happen next, she replied.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/WAEL HAMZEH