Israel had plans for pager attacks spanning 15 years, says ABC News
According to an ABC News source, the explosive-rigged device attack in Lebanon followed a preparation period by Israel that spanned at least 15 years. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Israeli intelligence has been considering an operation similar to the recent mass explosions of Hezbollah electronic devices for over 15 years, according to a US intelligence source cited by ABC News.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, a series of explosions in Lebanon caused injuries to thousands, as various devices, including pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah, detonated simultaneously. While Israel has not confirmed or denied involvement in the blasts, many media outlets have described the incident as a Mossad operation that involved rigging the devices with remotely-triggered explosives.
A US source characterized the event as a “supply chain interdiction,” noting that the CIA has generally been hesitant to use similar tactics due to potential collateral damage. The attack resulted in numerous casualties, including children among those killed, and left many victims severely injured.
The New York Times has previously reported that the supply of compromised devices began in the summer of 2023, according to various officials familiar with the mission.
ABC News also indicates that BAC Consulting, a Hungarian-based company subcontracted by Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Gold Apollo to produce pagers for Hezbollah, is believed to be an Israeli front. However, a spokesperson for the Budapest government stated that the devices were never located in Hungary and that BAC functioned merely as a “trading intermediary, with no manufacturing or operational site” in the country.
The Taiwanese government has similarly distanced itself from the violence in Lebanon. “The components are [mainly] low-end IC [integrated circuits] and batteries,” Economy Minister Kuo Jyh-huei stated, as reported by Reuters. “I can say with certainty they were not made in Taiwan.”
Hezbollah and Lebanese officials have attributed the explosions to Israel, declaring a state of war with the neighboring country. Subsequently, the Israel Defense Forces ramped up artillery fire into Lebanon on Thursday, raising concerns among observers that this could lead to a significant ground invasion. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a “new phase in the war” against the militant group, and an Israeli commando division, previously engaged in operations in Gaza, has been reassigned to the northern front amid heightened tensions.
Israel has a history of military operations in Lebanon, including a large-scale invasion in 1982 that resulted in a three-year partial occupation and the emergence of Hezbollah as a key military and political player, as well as a month-long incursion in 2006.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
On Tuesday and Wednesday, a series of explosions in Lebanon caused injuries to thousands, as various devices, including pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah, detonated simultaneously. While Israel has not confirmed or denied involvement in the blasts, many media outlets have described the incident as a Mossad operation that involved rigging the devices with remotely-triggered explosives.
A US source characterized the event as a “supply chain interdiction,” noting that the CIA has generally been hesitant to use similar tactics due to potential collateral damage. The attack resulted in numerous casualties, including children among those killed, and left many victims severely injured.
The New York Times has previously reported that the supply of compromised devices began in the summer of 2023, according to various officials familiar with the mission.
ABC News also indicates that BAC Consulting, a Hungarian-based company subcontracted by Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Gold Apollo to produce pagers for Hezbollah, is believed to be an Israeli front. However, a spokesperson for the Budapest government stated that the devices were never located in Hungary and that BAC functioned merely as a “trading intermediary, with no manufacturing or operational site” in the country.
The Taiwanese government has similarly distanced itself from the violence in Lebanon. “The components are [mainly] low-end IC [integrated circuits] and batteries,” Economy Minister Kuo Jyh-huei stated, as reported by Reuters. “I can say with certainty they were not made in Taiwan.”
Hezbollah and Lebanese officials have attributed the explosions to Israel, declaring a state of war with the neighboring country. Subsequently, the Israel Defense Forces ramped up artillery fire into Lebanon on Thursday, raising concerns among observers that this could lead to a significant ground invasion. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a “new phase in the war” against the militant group, and an Israeli commando division, previously engaged in operations in Gaza, has been reassigned to the northern front amid heightened tensions.
Israel has a history of military operations in Lebanon, including a large-scale invasion in 1982 that resulted in a three-year partial occupation and the emergence of Hezbollah as a key military and political player, as well as a month-long incursion in 2006.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
