Mossad pager operation details revealed in Israeli reports

New details have emerged regarding the 2024 pager explosions targeting Hezbollah members in Lebanon. According to reports from the Israeli outlet Walla, the operation was a multi-year project that was accelerated following the outbreak of conflict in October 2023.

To facilitate the assembly of the devices, Mossad reportedly converted a gym within its headquarters into a secret workshop, using mobile structures to accommodate the work. The devices were manually prepared to hide small explosives inside each unit in a way that avoided detection by scanning equipment. By October 7, 2023, approximately 500 devices had been produced and delivered through a complex supply chain. Following the start of hostilities, Mossad Director David Barnea ordered the project to be fast-tracked, diverting resources from other operations.

The execution was triggered on September 17, 2024, via a fabricated message. The resulting explosions caused widespread injury and death across Lebanon and Syria. Reports indicate the blasts resulted in approximately 5,000 injuries and over 20 deaths, including Hezbollah members and Iranian Revolutionary Guard personnel.

Regarding the impact on Hezbollah leadership, reports suggest that while former Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah did not personally carry a pager, several of his close aides and guards used them to avoid cellular surveillance. Some devices reportedly exploded in close proximity to Nasrallah, which intelligence officials suggest impacted his psychological state and confidence in the group’s security.