A pager is a small, wireless communication device used to receive messages, often referred to as a “beeper.” First patented in 1949, it gained widespread use in the 1980s for receiving short alphanumeric or voice messages via radio frequencies. Despite their decline in the 21st century due to mobile phones, pagers remain in use by certain groups due to their simplicity, longer battery life, and low traceability.
One such group is Hezbollah, a paramilitary organization, which uses pagers for internal communications. The devices are less traceable than mobile phones, making them harder to intercept or hack. This low-tech solution provides some operational security, especially in areas with poor mobile coverage or where traditional communications might be compromised.
However, pagers have also been exploited in terrorist activities. In a recent incident, Hezbollah fighters’ pagers mysteriously exploded, killing nine people and injuring over 2,700. Hezbollah blamed Israel for rigging these pagers with hidden explosives. Reports suggest Israeli intelligence intercepted a batch of pagers intended for Hezbollah, modifying them to detonate remotely. This method highlights how pagers can be weaponized for covert attacks, using their relatively simple electronic systems to conceal explosives and trigger blasts.
The incidents raise concerns about the vulnerabilities of pagers, particularly when used by militant groups. While the exact cause of such explosions is sometimes attributed to battery issues, the deliberate use of tampered devices in these cases illustrates the potential for pagers to be manipulated for violent purposes. This attack underscores how even outdated technology can be adapted for modern warfare and terrorism.
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