Hezbollah Blames Israel for Devastating Tech Attack

On September 17, 2024, Hezbollah in Lebanon faced an unprecedented attack on its communication technology. Reports surfaced globally that pagers belonging to Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon and even in Syria. These incidents were corroborated by a flood of videos and photographs on social media, particularly on X (formerly known as Twitter). These images confirmed the widespread nature of the explosions, raising concerns about the security of Hezbollah’s internal communication infrastructure.

In response, Hezbollah’s official Telegram channel quickly issued statements regarding the attack. Although the group did not disclose specifics about the technology or methods behind the explosions, it conveyed a strong message to its followers. Several images posted on the channel, all written in Arabic, urged people to refrain from sharing information or photos that could “assist the enemy.” One of the translated messages read: “Don’t be a partner in bloodshed. Do not take pictures, do not share names.” This warning, aimed at preventing the disclosure of sensitive information, reflects heightened fears of surveillance and infiltration by adversaries.

Official statements of Hezbollah:

Hezbollah’s official statements addressed the broader security implications of the attack. The group reported the detection of “enemy” movements along the Al-Ramim axis at 3:30 AM, followed by heavy shelling. This resulted in the death of a child and injuries to several Hezbollah members, prompting a large-scale investigation into the incident. Medical units were deployed to transfer the wounded to various hospitals across Lebanon, as confirmed by a separate message from Lebanese Health Minister Firas Al-Abyad. He stated that approximately 2,750 individuals were injured, with 200 in critical condition, across 100 hospitals. Additionally, eight deaths were directly linked to the explosions of the pager devices.

Hezbollah’s leadership responded forcefully, holding Israel accountable for the attack, which they described as a “heinous crime” targeting civilians. In a second statement, they vowed retaliation, calling the attack a badge of honor for their cause and reaffirming their commitment to resist the “Zionist enemy.” The statement emphasized that the blood of their martyrs would not be spilled in vain and hinted at future retaliatory strikes. It concluded with a warning to their adversaries: “This treacherous and criminal enemy will undoubtedly face just retaliation for this heinous aggression. Whoever acts against us will find what they don’t expect.”

First Message: “Enemy warplanes launched an airstrike with missiles targeting the town of Majdal Silm.”

Second Message: “Lebanese Health Minister Firas Al-Abyad: There are approximately 2,750 injured, with around 200 in critical condition, distributed across 100 hospitals.”

Third Message: “Health Minister: So far, there are 8 martyrs as a result of the explosion of ‘pager’ devices.”

The severity of the incident not only highlights the vulnerability of Hezbollah’s technological systems but also underscores the ongoing conflict dynamics in the region, as Hezbollah remains a central actor in the broader Israel-Lebanon-Syria tensions. While Hezbollah prepares for possible retaliation, the group’s messages to its supporters reflect the urgency of operational security and the gravity of the situation. The explosive attack on their communication devices, which are crucial to their operations, represents a significant escalation in the technological warfare between Hezbollah and its adversaries.