Pager explosions in Lebanon prompt caution in China over technology

Analysts reveal how bombings targeting Hezbollah members expose the potential of supply chains as weapons

The explosions of pagers in Lebanon, which caused deaths, may lead to increased caution in China regarding the use of electronic products as weapons, say analysts interviewed by the South China Morning Post.

On Tuesday (17), pagers exploded simultaneously in several regions of Lebanon and Syria, leaving thousands injured and resulting in 12 deathsincluding two children. Among the wounded were fighters from the Hezbollah and the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon.

O Hezbollah promised retaliation against Israel by the attack, while the Iran condemned what he called “Israeli terrorism”. O Hamasin turn, classified the explosions as a “escalation”, stating that this would only lead Israel to “failure and defeat”.

According to a report by New York Timesciting US and other authorities, Israel would have hidden explosives in pagers manufactured by the Taiwanese company Gold Apollobefore they were imported into Lebanon. The explosive was placed near the battery, with a built-in switch that could be triggered remotely.

A Reuters reported that about 5.000 pagers were ordered from Gold Apollo and distributed among the members of the Hezbollah. According to the New York Timesthe pagers received a message, apparently from Hezbollah leadership, which triggered the explosions.

Other reports suggest that the operation was a collaboration between the Israeli intelligence service and its military forces. The pagers were reportedly acquired by Hezbollah after its leader limited the use of cell phoneswarning that they could be vulnerable to Israeli surveillance.

A Gold Apollo denied having manufactured the pagers involved in the explosions, saying they were produced by a company called BACbased in Hungary, and licensed to use its brand.

“We just provide the trademark authorization and we have no involvement in the design or manufacturing of this product,” the company said. Hsu Ching-kuangfounder of Gold Apollomentioned to the press that he is considering taking legal measures against BAC.

Muhammad Faizal Abdul Rahmanresearcher at S Rajaratnam School of International Studiesin Singapore, commented that the explosions show that “Israel has the ability to use digital means and covert connections in global supply chains to strike deep into the strongholds of its adversaries.” He also noted that China may begin to see more suspicion electronic products manufactured by USA and its allies, including Taiwan.

“China can take an even closer look cautious on Taiwanese industries, considering the close alliance between Taiwan and the USA”, he stated.

Dov Levinassociate professor of international relations at University of Hong Kongstated that the use of explosives hidden in pagers is reminiscent of tactics used by Israel in the past, such as in the case of the death of Yahya Ayyashpump manufacturer of the Hamas in the 1990s. However, this time it was on a larger scale.

Francis Manciniassociate professor at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policyin Singapore, expressed concern about the transformation of common devices into armascalling it “extremely worrying,” not just for China but for all countries. He said this kind of operation reveals Israel’s investment in technological war and can take other countries, such as China e USAto consider the development of this technology.

Tang Weimarketing director of a Chinese antivirus software company, commented that batteries of the pagers may have been rigged to overheat remotely using an ultrasonic welding technique. He suggested that the risk of explosions in devices such as flashlights or high-intensity headlamps could be greater because they can be tampered with to include SIM cards for remote control.

Finally, Wei Dongxua Chinese military analyst, told CCTV that the pagers were likely tampered with before they were distributed, and warned that if Hezbollah determines that Israel was behind the attack, the conflict between Lebanon e Israel may intensify even further.