Turkey intercepts 2,000 booby-trapped pagers bound for Lebanon in September
Turkish intelligence services reportedly intercepted at Istanbul airport 2,000 booby-trapped pagers, three days after deadly explosions in Lebanon of these communication devices used by Hezbollah, revealed Turkish newspaper Sabah.
The pagers reportedly arrived from Hong Kong on Sept.16 and were to be shipped to Beirut on Sept. 27. Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati reportedly thanked Turkish President Erdogan in Dec. 2024 for the seizure of these devices during his visit to Ankara, according to Turkish media reports.
In response to these press reports, Hezbollah's media relations officer, Youssef al-Zein, told the local channel LBCI that "it was Hezbollah who informed the Turkish side of the presence of a shipment of booby-trapped pagers at Istanbul airport, which was destined for Lebanon last September."
On Sept.17 and 18, the explosion of Hezbollah's communication devices — the pagers on the first day, and the walkie-talkies on the second — killed at least 40 people, including a child, and injured more than 2,900.
In addition to fighters and members ofHezbollah, Israeli attacks claimed the lives of children and healthcare professionals, while blurring the line between military and civilian targets. The day after the pager explosions, The New York Times learned that Israeli agents tricked Hezbollah by selling a customized pager model, AR-924, under an existing and reputable Taiwanese brand, Gold Apollo.
61 packages bound for Lebanon
Turkish intelligence services reportedly learned on September 20 that similar devices were going to be shipped from Turkish territory to Lebanon, reports the Turkish newspaper Sabah. Taiwanese company SMT Global Logistics Limited reportedly shipped 61 packages weighing a total of 850 kg on board cargo flight TK6141 from Hong Kong, intended to be transported to Lebanon on board cargo flight TK830 Istanbul-Beirut at 6:50 a.m. on Sept. 27. Upon opening the packages, investigators reportedly found 1,300 units, distributed in 26 boxes, of Gold Apollo 924 R3 GP 450-470 MHz model devices with their charging cables, as well as 710 units of Desktop Charger BC-144N, with cables and batteries.
Investigations showed that the chargers contained double batteries inside a metal structure filled with a dark brown liquid flammable substance, which was then injected into the devices. Analysis showed that these explosives could be activated by an electrical short circuit or intense signaling, leading to a deadly explosion.
The former Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, assassinated by Israel on September 27 in Beirut, considered pagers and walkie-talkies more difficult to control than smartphones. Speaking on September 19, he described the explosion of the communication devices as a " severe blow both in terms of security and human terms, unprecedented in the history of resistance (against Israel), at least in Lebanon."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Nahar Net
an hour ago
- Nahar Net
UN Security Council to vote on Gaza ceasefire resolution amid humanitarian crisis
The U.N. Security Council scheduled a vote Wednesday on a resolution which demands "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties." U.N. diplomats said the United States is likely to veto it. The resolution, drafted by the council's 10 elected members who serve two-year terms, reiterates its demand for the release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups following their Oct. 7, 2023 surprise attack in southern Israel. Calling the humanitarian situation in Gaza "catastrophic," the proposed resolution also demands "the immediate and unconditional lifting of all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and its safe and unhindered distribution at scale, including by the U.N. and humanitarian partners." The vote, scheduled for late Wednesday afternoon, comes amid near-daily shootings following the establishment by an Israeli and U.S.-backed foundation of aid distribution points inside Israeli military zones, a system it says is designed to circumvent Hamas. The United Nations has rejected the new system, saying it doesn't address Gaza's mounting hunger crisis, allows Israel to use aid as a weapon, and doesn't comply with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. The draft resolution demands the restoration of all essential humanitarian services in line with those principles, international humanitarian law and U.N. Security Council resolutions. Several U.N. diplomats from different countries, speaking on condition of anonymity Tuesday because discussions have been private, said they expect the United States to veto the resolution. The U.S. Mission to the United Nations said it had no comment on the draft resolution at this time. Israel's U.N. Mission did not respond to a request for comment on the draft. Gaza's roughly 2 million people are almost completely reliant on international aid because Israel's offensive has destroyed nearly all of Gaza's food production capabilities. Israel imposed a blockade on supplies into Gaza on March 2, and limited aid began to enter again late last month after pressure from allies and warnings of famine. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday that the needs in Gaza are enormous and what's getting into Gaza from the U.N. "is still just a trickle." Since the complete blockade was partly lifted, he said, just over 620 truckloads have made it from Israel to the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing, and only about 370 truckloads – mainly with flour, food and medical and nutrition items __ have gotten closer to people in need, with some looted including by armed gangs. "The unimpeded entry of humanitarian assistance at scale must be restored immediately," Dujarric said. "The U.N. must be allowed to work in safety and in security under conditions of full respect for humanitarian principles." Since Oct. 7, 2023, the Security Council has voted on 14 Gaza-related resolutions and approved four. The last resolution was also proposed by the 10 elected council members and also demanded "an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire to be respected by all parties." Fourteen of the 15 council members voted in favor last Nov. 20, but the U.S. vetoed the resolution because it was not linked to the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 people hostage in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack into southern Israel that ignited the war. They are still holding 58 hostages, a third of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The ministry is led by medical professionals but reports to the Hamas-run government. Its toll is seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts, though Israel has challenged its numbers.
LBCI
2 hours ago
- LBCI
Hezbollah MP says meeting with President Aoun focused on sovereignty, occupation, and common ground
MP Mohammad Raad stated that Hezbollah and the bloc initiated a meeting between Loyalty to the Resistance and President Joseph Aoun to commemorate the anniversary of Resistance and Liberation Day. He noted that the two sides exchanged general views on the country's pressing priorities and challenges—chief among them safeguarding national sovereignty, ending the Israeli occupation, halting ongoing violations backed by some countries involved in the ceasefire agreement, rebuilding areas destroyed by Israeli attacks, ensuring stability, and revitalizing state institutions through upcoming elections. Raad stressed that there is broad common ground between them, which can be built upon. 'We don't feel bound by specific timelines, locations, tools, or methods to make use of this common ground, as long as things in Lebanon are progressing under the president's careful stewardship and his commitment to achieving these priorities,' he said. He added that there are no closed doors when it comes to dialogue with the president at any level.
LBCI
2 hours ago
- LBCI
MP Mohammad Raad says Hezbollah opens to cooperation after meeting with PM Nawaf Salam
The head of Hezbollah's Loyalty to the Resistance bloc, MP Mohammad Raad, emphasized the party's commitment to ongoing cooperation and understanding with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and all components of the Lebanese political landscape during a meeting held at the Grand Serail. Raad said Hezbollah prioritizes national interest above all and remains open to dialogue regardless of political tensions or inflammatory rhetoric. "We do not build our positions on emotions or preconceived ideas. We judge based on performance and harbor no ill will—differences in opinion do not spoil the relationship," he stated following the meeting. He also criticized Israel for not honoring agreements and stressed that Lebanon has fulfilled its obligations. "Our priority is ending the occupation, securing the release of prisoners, halting assassinations and violations, and beginning reconstruction," Raad said. He added that the meeting with Salam also addressed certain reform-related matters that were not initially expected to be discussed. Raad concluded by reaffirming Hezbollah's stance on addressing challenges constructively: "Our country's interest stands above all else, and we think about that regardless of the incitement we hear."
