In the heart of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, a series of explosions began at 3:45 p.m. local time, shaking the city to its core. What initially appeared as isolated blasts quickly spread across the country, continuing for two days. The attacks targeted not only the infamous pagers Hezbollah had acquired but also a range of other electronic devices: mobile phones, laptops, solar energy cells, and walkie-talkies—all of which had been purchased approximately five months earlier. It was clear that something much larger was at play, a meticulously planned act of sabotage aimed at Hezbollah’s technological infrastructure.

This wave of destruction highlighted the vulnerabilities within Hezbollah’s communication networks, relying heavily on the use of devices like walkie-talkies. The iconic Icom-branded walkie-talkie, known for its reliability and long-range communication capabilities, became a key target. Let’s explore the anatomy of this device to understand how such technology could be manipulated for nefarious purposes.

At the front of a typical walkie-talkie is the LCD screen, followed by the microphone which captures the user’s voice and converts it into electrical signals. But perhaps the most critical component is found at the back—the lithium-ion battery, a seemingly harmless power source with deadly potential.

How Everyday Technology Becomes a Weapon

To illustrate how a walkie-talkie could be turned into a weapon, we need to break down the anatomy of a bomb. In essence, a bomb requires four critical components: a power source, a triggering mechanism, an explosive charge, and a detonator. In the case of these walkie-talkies, the lithium-ion battery could easily double as the power source for an explosive. Imagine an explosive material such as PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate) being concealed within a device’s casing. PETN is known for its potency, belonging to the same class of chemicals used in high-end explosives, making it an ideal candidate for such a covert operation.

Once the explosive charge is hidden within the device, the detonator can be placed just below the charge to ensure precise timing. As for the triggering mechanism, something as simple as the antenna could be used to receive a radio signal to initiate the explosion. In this scenario, a message or radio signal could trigger the device remotely, causing an explosion designed to eliminate high-value targets like Hezbollah commanders and soldiers.

The Origins of the Explosive Devices

Tracing the origins of these devices adds another layer of intrigue to this story. The walkie-talkies, once discontinued by Icom, had been counterfeited and found their way into the hands of Hezbollah, but the mystery lies in how these counterfeit devices were altered and weaponized. The pagers, on the other hand, have a more complex supply chain. Five months prior to the explosions, a Hungarian company, Back Consulting, purchased licensing rights from a Taiwanese firm, Gold Apollo. Somewhere along this supply chain, explosives were discreetly inserted into these devices, allowing Hezbollah to unknowingly receive what was essentially a ticking time bomb.

The logistics of this sabotage operation are as elaborate as they are chilling. Hezbollah believed the pagers and walkie-talkies came directly from their Hungarian supplier. However, at some point, the products were intercepted, modified, and shipped back to Lebanon without raising suspicion.

The Anatomy of the Explosive Pagers

Inside a typical pager, various components work together, especially the batteries, which power the device. Now consider a hypothetical scenario where two identical batteries are placed within the pager. One battery provides the necessary power for the pager, while the other, in a covert operation, is replaced with an explosive device. Given that a lithium-ion battery weighs around 23 grams, the explosive PETN—ranging between 10 and 20 grams—could easily be disguised as a battery. The near identical weight would make the swap undetectable.

This setup becomes even more ominous when reports indicate that a timer was used to trigger the explosion at the perfect moment, injuring over 2,750 individuals across the country. The attack’s scale and precision suggest that it was not a random act, but part of a larger, highly coordinated operation.

Israel’s Response: Airstrikes and Ground Invasion

Following these bombings, Israel swiftly responded with a series of airstrikes in southern Lebanon, soon to be followed by a ground invasion. Hezbollah, long aware of the IDF’s capabilities, had fortified its positions near the border with an elaborate defense system. Four layers of defense were strategically constructed, with tactical defense compartments positioned close to the border to protect against Israeli advances. Hezbollah deliberately kept its rocket-launching positions away from these tactical defense zones to minimize collateral damage. Just behind these rocket positions lay Hezbollah’s command and control centers, ready to direct troop movements in the event of an all-out assault.

The Coming Conflict: Hezbollah’s Strength and Israel’s Strategy

Hezbollah’s military strength is significant. With approximately 100,000 soldiers forming its light infantry, and access to Iranian-manufactured anti-tank guided missiles, Hezbollah is prepared for armored warfare. The group also boasts a staggering arsenal of over 100,000 rockets (some reports suggest the number could be as high as one million), making it one of the most well-armed non-state actors in the world.

The rockets are complemented by hundreds of drones, many of which are capable of both reconnaissance and attack. If an all-out war were to break out, it would almost certainly draw in Iran, Hezbollah’s primary sponsor. Iran, in the first stages of an attack, could launch multiple drones, followed by cruise missiles capable of reaching Israel within an hour. In the most devastating scenario, Iran could unleash hundreds of ballistic missiles, which would strike Israeli territory in just 10 to 15 minutes. Hezbollah, meanwhile, would target Israeli positions in the Golan Heights, launching missile attacks from Lebanon.

The timing of these attacks is crucial. Drones travel at approximately 114 mph, while cruise missiles can reach speeds of 500 mph. Ballistic missiles, however, travel at an astonishing 3,836 mph. This staggering speed means that ballistic missiles would catch up to their targets almost simultaneously with the slower drones and cruise missiles, creating a devastating multi-layered attack.

Allies Prepare for a Counterattack

If Hezbollah and Iran launch this multi-faceted attack, Israel’s allies—primarily the United States and the United Kingdom—would spring into action. British fighter jets would likely be deployed from Cyprus, while American destroyers stationed in the Mediterranean would intercept incoming missiles. Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) would rely on its highly advanced missile defense systems.

Israel’s three-tiered defense consists of the Arrow missile system, designed to intercept long-range missiles like those from Iran, the David’s Sling system for medium-range threats, and the famed Iron Dome, which has a near-perfect track record in stopping short-range rockets. These systems would work in tandem to neutralize the barrage of rockets, drones, and missiles launched by Hezbollah and Iran.

A War of High-Tech Defense and Espionage

This complex chess game between Hezbollah and Israel highlights a new age of warfare—one where technology, espionage, and high-stakes sabotage take center stage. The explosions caused by walkie-talkies and pagers are not just isolated events; they are the opening salvos in a much broader conflict. As both sides gear up for a potential war, the role of technology—whether in the form of weaponized devices or advanced missile systems—will be critical.

For Hezbollah, the attacks were a reminder that even their most basic communication tools could be turned against them. For Israel, it was a clear signal of the lengths to which their enemies would go to wage war. What remains certain is that this shadow conflict is far from over, and the next explosion may come from a place no one expects.