Exploding Pagers Used in Attack on Hezbollah Linked to Hungarian Manufacturer, Claims Rival Firm

A Hungarian company has been identified as the manufacturer behind the exploding pagers used in a recent Israeli operation targeting Hezbollah, another firm disclosed on Wednesday. This attack marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a group whose confrontations frequently threaten to spiral into full-scale warfare.

The incident involved pagers used by Hezbollah, which detonated almost simultaneously across Lebanon and Syria, killing at least 12 people, including two children, and injuring nearly 2,800 others. Both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government swiftly blamed Israel for the attack.

An American official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Israel had briefed the U.S. government following the operation, revealing that small amounts of explosives had been strategically placed inside the pagers, which were detonated remotely.

The attack has heightened concerns that the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza could spread, drawing Hezbollah into a broader regional conflict. Although Israel and Hezbollah have a long history of periodic flare-ups, both sides have typically avoided all-out war. However, Israeli leaders have recently issued stern warnings that their military operations against Hezbollah could escalate further.

In response to the attack, Israel began reinforcing its troop presence along its border with Lebanon. According to an anonymous official, this move is a precautionary measure as tensions continue to rise.

The pagers involved in the attack were identified as AR-924 models, manufactured by BAC Consulting KFT, a Hungarian company based in Budapest. This information was released by Gold Apollo, a Taiwanese firm that had authorized the use of its brand on the devices. Gold Apollo clarified in a statement that while BAC had the right to use its trademark, the design and manufacturing of the pagers were entirely the responsibility of the Hungarian company.

BAC Consulting, which was registered in 2022, has since faced scrutiny regarding its involvement. The company, linked to entrepreneur Cristiana Rosaria Bársony-Arcidiacono, has yet to directly respond to inquiries about the pagers or their connection to the attack.

The blasts, which took place in the hands or pockets of Hezbollah fighters and associates, left widespread devastation, with many victims suffering severe injuries. Some were treated for life-altering wounds, including amputations and damage to their eyesight.

Hezbollah has vowed continued retaliation against Israel, maintaining that this operation will not deter its support for Hamas and the Palestinian cause. The group also promised further “reckoning” against Israel for the Tuesday attack.

Amidst the aftermath, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that numerous countries, including Turkey, Iraq, and Iran, had offered medical assistance, with Iraq dispatching a plane filled with supplies.

Experts believe the explosives were planted within the pagers before their distribution. These pagers, designed for resilience with up to 85 days of battery life, operate on a different wireless network than mobile phones, making them useful in regions like Lebanon, where electricity and mobile networks are unreliable.

Hezbollah has long relied on these devices to avoid Israeli surveillance, which has reportedly compromised Lebanon’s mobile networks.