“Israel unlocked new form of terror:” Outrage on social media after pagers, walkie-talkies explode in Lebanon

In the wake of deadly pager and walkie-talkie explosions that killed several people and injured thousands in Lebanon, netizens raised alarm over perilous Israeli warfare tactics that can remotely target individuals by detonating their phones or battery-powered devices.

On Tuesday, 4,000 pagers exploded in Lebanon within an hour, causing widespread panic as thousands of civilians use the devices, not just members of Hezbollah.

The explosions claimed the lives of at least 13 people and injured 2,800 others. A Lebanese doctor described the incident as “the worst day of [his] life as a physician.”

He reported that at least 60 percent of the patients he treated had lost an eye, while many others had lost fingers or entire hands.

A second wave of explosions hit the country on Wednesday, as walkie-talkies exploded, leaving 250 people injured and 20 dead.

The pagers were reportedly manufactured by a Hungarian company, BAC Consulting, which is licenced by the Taiwanese brand Gold Apollo to use its label on the AR-924 pagers.

Israel is believed to be behind the explosions, as Tel Aviv announced a new phase of warfare and praised its intelligence agencies for achieving “impressive results,” though it did not explicitly mention the Lebanon incidents.

The devices exploded while the Lebanese people were going about their daily routines, at home, at work, in their cars, or shops.

Videos circulating on social media showed solar devices, iPhones, radios, and cars going up in flames in Lebanon, though these clips have not been independently verified.

According to experts, the devices were equipped with explosive materials before being exported to Lebanon and Syria. However, there is no clear information on where the devices were manufactured or from where they were imported.

In response to the attacks, Hezbollah fired 20 rockets at Kiryat Shmona city on Wednesday, though Israeli media reported no casualties.

Social media users expressed outrage over insidious Israeli warfare, accusing the country of violating international humanitarian law, with many labeling the attacks as terrorism.

Many voiced concerns that the explosions in Lebanon left people feeling unsafe, fearing they could be targeted at any time through the devices they rely on daily.

The US Presidential candidate, Jill Stein from the Green Party stated, “Let's call Israel's attacks in Lebanon what they are: terrorism. We demand the Biden-Harris administration condemn Israel's terrorist attacks and immediately cut off all arms and support to Netanyahu's rogue genocidal regime.”

Let's call Israel's attacks in Lebanon what they are: terrorism. We demand the Biden-Harris administration condemn Israel's terrorist attacks and immediately cut off all arms and support to Netanyahu's rogue genocidal regime. https://t.co/9XL2TA6oS7

— Dr. Jill Stein🌻 (@DrJillStein) September 18, 2024

Israel has unlocked a new form of terror and warfare that WILL one day come back to harm us all. The entire world should condemn this, declare Israel a pariah terrorist nation and completely cut them off from any further military support. https://t.co/37DEUGE259

— Kim Iversen 🇺🇸 (@KimIversenShow) September 18, 2024

I feel like I'm losing my mind because how did Lebanese civilians just bury their martyrs only to experience ANOTHER round of explosions 15 mins later.

People fear texting their loved ones in case their phones explode: this is a whole new level of psychological terror.

— samaa • سما (@samaakhullar) September 18, 2024

My cousin in Beirut messaged me saying she disconnected her baby monitor and other household appliances and devices. Our people are unaware of which devices are safe and which are not. If this was happening in “Israel” the entire world would be condemning it. It is terrorism.

— ➳❥ (@VintageVault8) September 18, 2024

I don’t understand how’s this not causing global outrage/panic? This is breach of security. YOUR MOBILE DEVICE COULD LITERALLY EXPLODE AT ANY MINUTE! A state could order your execution from thousands of miles away!
How’s this not terrifying to all of you? Is this democracy?

— Z (@KushiteDictator) September 18, 2024

If they can do it to them, they can do it to you. People have no idea what central control of technology is capable of or how centrally-controlled it really is. Let this be a wake up call. https://t.co/4vfWKYfLfY

— David Icke (@davidicke) September 17, 2024