Israel used shell companies to orchestrate pager explosions in Lebanon, NYT reports

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.”

Two other shell companies created

The officials revealed that at least two other shell companies were created “to conceal the identities of the Israeli intelligence officers producing the pagers,” though further details were not disclosed.

Initially, BAC was said to have “produced pagers for ordinary customers,” but the actual target was Hezbollah. The pagers provided to Hezbollah reportedly contained the explosive material PETN within their batteries.

According to the intelligence sources, small quantities of these pagers began being delivered to Hezbollah in the summer of 2022. Following Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s directive to “stop using phones on the front line,” production was ramped up.

Surge in device distribution

The officials also noted a surge in shipments to Lebanon over the summer, with thousands of devices distributed to Hezbollah members and their allies.

To prevent suspicion among Hezbollah fighters, messages in Arabic, “appearing to come from senior Hezbollah leaders,” were sent to the pagers. These messages were said to have triggered the explosions.

On February 13, Nasrallah attributed Hezbollah’s recent casualties to the use of phones and the internet, urging both Hezbollah members and residents of southern Lebanon to avoid using mobile phones.

What happened?

On September 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 September 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 October 8, 2023, clashes along the Israel-Lebanon border have periodically intensified.