“Trojan Horse”: Explosive Devices Triggered by Modified Pagers

(Zhang Bo and Deng Rui, School of National Security, Northwest University of Political Science and Law, China)

On September 17, local time, a handheld pager exploded in Lebanon. The Lebanese Minister of Public Health said that the explosion killed 9 people and injured about 2,800, with approximately 200 in critical condition. In this regard, the New York Times quoted sources claiming that Israel had installed explosive devices in the pagers sold to Lebanese groups, and triggered the attack on the 17th.

The New York Times also cited officials from the United States and other countries who were familiar with Israel’s actions. The report suggested that a batch of pagers was ordered from a Taiwanese company, Golden Apollo, with most being AP924 pagers. These pagers were allegedly modified before arriving in Lebanon, containing small amounts of explosives and remote detonation devices. Two officials mentioned that about 1-2 ounces of explosives were implanted next to the pager batteries, allowing for remote detonation.

At 3:30 p.m. on the 17th, these pagers received a message that appeared to come from the leadership of the targeted group, but the message triggered the detonation of the explosives. Some claims suggest that remote control technology, or implanted virus software, caused hardware malfunctions that led to explosions. Various reports indicate that these devices were used for strategic purposes by the perpetrators.

1. Is the “Pager Bomb” Incident a Violent Attack?

After the incident, several countries condemned the attack. The Lebanese caretaker government’s Council of Ministers issued a statement criticizing the incident as “aggressive behavior” and emphasizing that it violated Lebanon’s sovereignty. The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated the government would submit a formal complaint to the UN Security Council regarding the bombing. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi also condemned the act during a conversation with the Lebanese Foreign Minister.

From an academic perspective, violent acts generally share three main characteristics: a political purpose, destructive means, and psychological impact. This incident appears to meet those criteria.

First, the event had a political purpose. Given the ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanese armed groups, the attack was intended to weaken the targeted group’s strength while avoiding large-scale ground operations.

Second, the method used was violent and destructive. The explosion directly resulted in casualties and injuries, while also disrupting communication systems critical to the target group’s operations.

Third, the attack generated significant psychological fear. Such incidents are not directed at specific individuals, leading to widespread panic and fear. The randomness of the victims amplifies this fear.

From this perspective, the “pager bomb” incident fits the description of a violent act. Additionally, the fact that the perpetrators are state actors raises the question of whether this act constitutes state-sponsored violence. However, like the broader concept of violent acts, there is still debate over whether state actors can engage in this type of activity.

2. A Dangerous Precedent: Civilian Electronic Products Used for Violence

The sudden transformation of everyday electronic devices like pagers and walkie-talkies into tools of violence marks a concerning development. The use of everyday electronics to carry out such attacks represents a new form of threat.

This incident gained global attention due to the unexpected nature of the weapons involved, as common devices were turned into tools of harm. According to U.S. media reports, the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad allegedly set up a shell company in Hungary to disguise themselves as a pager supplier, receiving an order for 5,000 pagers. These pagers were reportedly filled with small amounts of explosives. In addition, walkie-talkies and other civilian devices were reportedly used in subsequent attacks, leading to further injuries and fatalities.

The use of such technologies sets a dangerous precedent. Electronic devices, which are a part of daily life, could potentially be manipulated and used in violent acts. This poses a significant security challenge for the global electronics market, raising concerns about the safety of devices we use every day.

3. International Reactions and Ethical Concerns

In the aftermath of the explosions, the White House expressed a desire to avoid further escalation in the Middle East, emphasizing that the United States had no involvement in the attacks. However, some international media outlets have suggested that the U.S. may have been aware of the incident.

Both the United States and Israel have historically taken a strong stance against certain armed groups, labeling them as threats. However, critics argue that this overlooks broader issues such as territorial disputes and regional instability.

The actions of both countries have raised concerns about the impact on peace in the region. Military interventions have often led to further instability, with conflicts resulting in civilian casualties and exacerbating existing tensions. The use of civilian electronic products in these incidents highlights the broader risk posed by modern technologies in conflict zones.

4. Implications for Global Security

The incident highlights the broader issue of global security, as the use of modified electronics for violent purposes could have long-term impacts on public trust in everyday technologies. Civilian electronic products could become potential tools of harm, raising the cost of security and complicating supply chains worldwide.

Ultimately, these incidents emphasize the importance of addressing violence and conflict through international cooperation and legal frameworks, in order to safeguard global peace and security.