Deadly device explosions in Lebanon mean supply chain may have been compromised

The detonation of hundreds of electronic devices used by members of Hezbollah is the result of potentially a years long intelligence operation that likely required the infiltration of the manufacturing supply chain and access to the pagers, security experts say.

"Tactically and operationally … along with the level of sophistication, tradescraft and professionalism involved — it's unbelievable," said Assaf Orion, a retired Israeli brigadier general and defence strategist.

On Tuesday, at least 12 people were killed, including two children, with some 2,800 people wounded when hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah members began detonating wherever they happened to be — in homes, cars, at grocery stores and in cafes. The following day, in a second wave of attacks, at least 20 people were killed and 450 were wounded when walkie-talkies and solar equipment used by Hezbollah exploded in Beirut and multiple parts of Lebanon.

Although Israel has neither confirmed or denied its involvement, its widely believed that intelligence officials from the country were responsible for the attacks.

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