Israel’s High-Tech “Trojan Horse” Targets Hezbollah

The simultaneous detonation of pager devices carried by Hezbollah militants across Lebanon demonstrates Israel’s success in utilizing advanced technology as a modern “Trojan horse” in its ongoing struggle against the Iran-backed group.

According to a report by The New York Times, Israel manufactured the pager devices through its intelligence officers as part of a broader strategy, rather than interfering with the devices purchased by Hezbollah.

Twelve current and former defense and intelligence officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the Israelis were behind the attack, describing the operation as complex and lengthy in its preparation.

Hezbollah’s Vulnerability to Israeli Attacks

Iranian-backed groups, such as Hezbollah, have long been vulnerable to Israeli attacks using sophisticated technology. In 2020, Israel killed Iran’s top nuclear scientist using an AI-assisted robot remotely controlled via satellite.

Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, concluded that Israel relied on high technology and decided to reduce the group’s reliance on it. Instead, they invested in “pagers” that can receive data without revealing the user’s location, according to US intelligence assessments.

Israel’s Plan to Create a “Dummy Company”

Israeli intelligence officials saw an opportunity in this and hatched a plan to create a “dummy company” pretending to be an international pager manufacturer. BAC Consulting, a Hungary-based company, was contracted to manufacture the devices on behalf of a Taiwanese company called Gold Apollo.

However, BAC Consulting was actually an Israeli front, according to three intelligence officials briefed on the operation. At least two other fake companies were created to hide the true identities of those making the “pagers” – Israeli intelligence officials.

The Devices’ True Purpose

The company took orders and dealt with ordinary customers, routinely making a variety of devices. However, the devices manufactured for Hezbollah were far from ordinary. They contained batteries with PETN explosives, according to three intelligence officials.

The devices began being shipped to Lebanon in small numbers in the summer of 2022, but production quickly increased after Nasrallah criticized the use of cell phones.

Nasrallah’s Concerns and Israel’s Plan

Nasrallah’s concerns were prompted by reports that Israel had acquired new ways to hack into phones, remotely activating microphones and cameras to spy on their owners. Israel has invested millions in developing this technology.

Hezbollah officers were ordered to carry pagers at all times, and the devices would be used to tell fighters where to go in the event of a battle. However, for Israel, the pagers were “buttons” that could be pressed when the time felt right.

The Detonation of the Pager Devices

On Tuesday, the order was given to activate the pagers, which beeped and sent a message in Arabic that appeared to come from senior Hezbollah leadership. Seconds later, chaos erupted in Lebanon.