Pager explosions targeting Hezbollah reportedly planned for at least 15 years

U.S. intelligence sources confirmed to ABC News that Israel had a role in the manufacturing of explosive pagers that targeted Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon earlier this week. The operation, involving “supply chain interdiction,” had been planned for at least 15 years, the sources stated.

Using shell companies

The operation was conducted using shell companies and multiple layers of Israeli intelligence assets. According to the sources, these companies fronted a legitimate business that produced the explosive-laden pagers.

“At least some of those doing the work were unaware of who they were working for,” the source confirmed to ABC News.

The New York Times (NYT), a leading U.S. media outlet, has reported that Israel is behind the detonation of pagers in Lebanon, utilizing shell companies to carry out the operation.

Twelve current and former defense and intelligence officials provided insights to the NYT regarding the explosions in Lebanon.

Three intelligence officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that BAC Consulting KFT (BAC Consulting Ltd), the company alleged to have sold the explosive pagers in Lebanon, was “established as a front by Israel.”

The explosive pagers contained one to two ounces of explosives and a remote trigger switch that was used to detonate the devices. Lebanese Health Minister Firass Al-Abyad confirmed that the explosions have claimed the lives of at least 37 people and wounded 2,931 over the past two days.

Companies linked to pager explosions

ABC News reached out to BAC Consulting, a Hungary-based company contracted to produce the pagers on behalf of Gold Apollo in Taiwan. However, neither company responded to requests for comment.

A Hungarian government spokesperson confirmed that the pagers were never physically present in Hungary, describing the company as a “trading intermediary with no manufacturing or operational site in Hungary.”

What happened?

On Sept. 17, pagers used by Hezbollah members in Lebanon exploded simultaneously. The blasts resulted in 12 fatalities, including two children, and injured approximately 2,800 people, with about 300 of the injuries being severe.

On Sept. 18, a series of radio detonations in the country killed 25 people and left over 450 injured.

Lebanese authorities have held Israel responsible for the incidents, though Israel has yet to issue an official statement.

Since Oct. 8, 2023, clashes along the Israel-Lebanon border have periodically intensified.