After two separate incidents in Lebanon where thousands of pagers and radio devices exploded, injuring thousands and killing at least 37 people, authorities are still piecing together how such a coordinated operation was carried out. Lebanon and Hezbollah, whose communication systems were targeted, have blamed Israel, though Israel has not yet commented.
The BBC has traced the origins of the devices through Taiwan, Japan, Hungary, Israel, and back to Lebanon, revealing a complex web of involvement. Below are the key unanswered questions.
How Were the Pagers Compromised?
Initial theories suggested that the pagers were hacked to cause them to explode, but experts have largely dismissed this idea. Instead, it is believed the devices were rigged with explosives before reaching Hezbollah’s possession. Images of the damaged pagers displayed the logo of Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Gold Apollo. However, the company denied involvement, explaining that they had licensed their trademark to a Hungarian company, BAC Consulting, three years ago. Gold Apollo’s founder, Hsu Ching-Kuang, expressed surprise, noting strange financial transactions linked to BAC and the Middle East.
What Role Did a Hungarian Company Play?
BAC Consulting, based in Budapest, appears to be a key player. However, when BBC reporters visited its listed address, they found it shared with 12 other companies, and no one knew anything about BAC. Hungarian officials described the company as merely a “trading intermediary” without manufacturing or operational facilities. BAC’s founder, Cristiana Bársony-Arcidiacono, has remained elusive, but reportedly told NBC News that she was just an intermediary in the operation. The New York Times has suggested that BAC Consulting may be a front for Israeli intelligence, though the BBC has not independently verified these claims.
How Were the Radio Devices Compromised?
The origin of the radio devices, which exploded in the second attack, remains unclear. Many of them were reportedly IC-V82 models made by the Japanese company ICOM. However, ICOM stopped producing these radios in 2014 and suggested that the exploded devices might have been counterfeit. The company also speculated that explosives could have been retrofitted into the battery compartments.
How Were the Devices Detonated?
Videos show victims reaching into their pockets just before the devices exploded, causing chaos in various public places. Lebanese authorities believe the devices were detonated by “electronic messages” sent to them. The New York Times reported that these messages appeared to come from Hezbollah leadership, but instead triggered the explosions.
Have Other Devices Been Sabotaged?
This question has gripped Lebanon, where residents fear that more devices could be rigged with explosives. The Lebanese Army has deployed bomb disposal robots in Beirut, and panic has spread among citizens who now fear their phones, cameras, and laptops could also be compromised.
Why Did the Attack Happen Now?
There are several theories. One is that Israel used the device explosions as a way to send a powerful message to Hezbollah, especially amid escalating tensions following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Another theory is that Israel was forced to trigger the explosions sooner than planned after learning that Hezbollah had become suspicious of the operation. According to Axios, the explosions may have originally been intended as the opening move in a broader conflict.
The true scope and origins of the attack remain unclear, as investigations continue across multiple countries.
