What's happened
On September 18, 2024, a series of explosive pagers detonated in Lebanon, killing nine and injuring nearly 3,000. The pagers, branded by Taiwanese firm Gold Apollo, were reportedly manufactured by BAC Consulting in Hungary, which denies involvement in the attack. Israel is accused of embedding explosives in the devices.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Independent, Gold Apollo's president, Hsu Ching-Kuang, stated, 'The product was not ours. It was only that it had our brand on it.' This aligns with Politico's report that the pagers were manufactured by BAC Consulting, which had a licensing agreement with Gold Apollo. Al Jazeera noted that Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs found no direct exports of the devices to Lebanon, suggesting possible modifications post-manufacturing. The New York Times reported that Israeli operatives allegedly planted explosives in the pagers, indicating a coordinated attack against Hezbollah. This multifaceted coverage illustrates the complexity of the incident and its implications for international relations and technology security.
How we got here
The incident follows ongoing tensions between Hezbollah and Israel amid the Gaza conflict. Hezbollah had previously warned its members against using mobile phones due to tracking concerns, leading to the adoption of these pagers.
Common question
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What Happened with the Explosive Pagers in Lebanon?
On September 18, 2024, a shocking incident involving explosive pagers rocked Lebanon, resulting in significant casualties and raising serious questions about regional security. As details emerge, many are left wondering about the implications of this attack, the parties involved, and the potential for further conflict. Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this alarming event.
More on these topics
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Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon. Hezbollah's paramilitary wing is the Jihad Council, and its political wing is the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc party in the Lebanese parliament.
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Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. Neighbouring countries include the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south.
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Lebanon, officially known as the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lies west across the Mediterranean Sea.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Gaza may refer to: