On September 17 and 18, 2024, Lebanon and Syria witnessed two unprecedented events that sent shockwaves through the region. Thousands of handheld pagers and hundreds of walkie-talkies, primarily used by Hezbollah operatives, exploded simultaneously in a meticulously coordinated operation. The explosions, which targeted individuals believed to be members of Hezbollah, resulted in dozens of fatalities, numerous injuries, and a significant blow to the morale of the organization and its supporters. While some have labeled the operation, codenamed “Grim Beeper,” as a potential war crime, others view it as a strategic masterstroke by Israel’s intelligence services, which have once again demonstrated their capability to execute highly sophisticated and targeted missions.

The operation was the culmination of a decade-long plan by Israel’s Mossad, conceived in the aftermath of the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Recognizing the limitations of direct military confrontation, Israel shifted its focus to dismantling Hezbollah from within by targeting its organizational structure. Over the years, Israeli intelligence meticulously infiltrated Hezbollah’s communication networks, gathering critical data to craft operations that would minimize collateral damage to Lebanese civilians and infrastructure. Central to this strategy was the exploitation of Hezbollah’s reliance on private communication devices. Mossad successfully introduced tampered pagers, branded as “Gold Apollo,” into Hezbollah’s supply chain over several years without raising suspicion. In 2022, an updated version of these devices was distributed, embedded with sophisticated explosives designed to detonate upon receiving a specific software signal.

The timing of “Grim Beeper” was no coincidence.

Following the October 7, 2023, events in Gaza, Hezbollah faced a critical decision: to fully engage in the conflict from southern Lebanon or maintain a restrained posture. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah opted for the latter, declaring a “support front” for Gaza but avoiding a full-scale war with Israel. Despite this, Hezbollah’s limited operations, such as targeting Israeli military installations, kept tensions high. Meanwhile, Israel conducted precise airstrikes against Hezbollah operatives, demonstrating remarkable accuracy in intelligence and targeting.

The situation in Lebanon further complicated matters. The country remained without a president, and the pro-Hezbollah government, led by Prime Minister Najib Mikati, maintained a fragile stance of non-escalation. Concurrently, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri engaged in talks with U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, who sought to broker a ceasefire and disarm Hezbollah. However, these efforts proved futile as Hezbollah continued to maneuver, and Israel, backed by the U.S., resolved to achieve its objectives by force.

On September 17, 2024, at 3:30 PM, Operation “Grim Beeper” was activated. Over 4,000 pagers exploded simultaneously, causing chaos in Hezbollah strongholds and overwhelming hospitals with thousands of casualties. Even the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon sustained severe injuries, losing his fingers and eyesight. The following day, a similar operation involving walkie-talkies resulted in additional fatalities and injuries. The psychological impact was profound, with reports suggesting that Hassan Nasrallah himself witnessed the explosion of his aide’s pager.

The operation marked the beginning of a broader Israeli campaign to dismantle Hezbollah. Precision airstrikes targeted key leaders, weapons depots, and logistical networks across Lebanon, crippling the organization from top to bottom. By late November 2024, a ceasefire was brokered through French and American mediators, effectively ending Hezbollah’s operational capacity.

In terms of investigation, all strings lead to nowhere. The first company to be mentioned was BAC Consulting in Hungary on its head a certain Cristiana Barsony-Arcidiacono, who was once only contacted by a British media where she stated that she was just an intermediary, and not the manufacturer of pagers. It turns out that BAC consulting is a shell company without employees with just a small apartment as an address in Budapest. This scheme is well explained in the movie “The Laundromat” where Cristiana Barsony-Arcidiacono could be just a figure, and doubtedly a mossad agent. One thing for sure is that she simply disappeared after the incident, leaving Hungary, closing all her social media accounts, the BAC consulting website was shutdown.

The investigation reached a dead-end, something usually well-thought of in such intelligence operations.

A Moral and Legal Dilemma

The “Grim Beeper” operation has sparked intense debate over its legality and morality. While Israel has not officially claimed responsibility, the operation’s precision and avoidance of civilian casualties have been highlighted as evidence of its strategic intent. Historically, intelligence operations between adversaries, particularly those that avoid civilian harm, have often been viewed as legitimate acts of warfare. For instance, the 1917 Messines Explosion during World War I, which killed 10,000 German troops in an instant, was never classified as a war crime.

However, the scale of injuries and disfigurements caused by the operation has raised ethical concerns. Critics argue that the use of explosive devices in communication tools constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law, particularly if the targets were not actively engaged in combat at the time of the explosions.

Operation “Grim Beeper” represents a watershed moment in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, showcasing the capabilities of Israeli intelligence while raising complex legal and moral questions. Whether viewed as a strategic triumph or a violation of international norms, the operation has undeniably altered the dynamics of the region, leaving a lasting impact on Hezbollah and its supporters. As the dust settles, the debate over its implications for warfare and intelligence operations will likely continue for years to come.