Taiwanese company Gold Apollo confirmed on Wednesday (September 18, 2024) that it allowed its brand to be used on the pagers that exploded in Lebanon and Syria, but clarified that they were manufactured by a company based in Budapest.
“Hundreds of handheld pagers exploded almost simultaneously on Tuesday (September 17, 2024) across Lebanon and parts of Syria, resulting in at least 12 fatalities,” stated Government and Hezbollah officials. The Israeli military refrained from commenting on the situation.
Hezbollah initiated attacks on Israel shortly after Hamas’ October 7 incident, sparking the Israel-Hamas conflict. Subsequently, Israel and Hezbollah engaged in daily exchanges of fire, escalating tensions and prompting evacuations on both sides of the border.
The Health Ministry in Gaza reported over 41,000 Palestinian casualties since the October 7 attack by Hamas. The Ministry did not distinguish between combatants and civilians but noted that a majority of those killed were women and children. Israel claimed to have eliminated over 17,000 militants without providing evidence.
Gold Apollo Statement
Gold Apollo, a Taiwanese company, revealed on Wednesday (September 17, 2024) that while they authorized their brand on the pagers that exploded in Lebanon and Syria, the actual manufacturing was carried out by a company in Budapest.
Pagers utilized by members of Hezbollah exploded simultaneously on Tuesday (September 17, 2024) in Lebanon and Syria, resulting in at least nine fatalities, including an 8-year-old girl, and over 2,000 injuries. Hezbollah and the Lebanese government attributed the incident to Israel, suggesting a sophisticated remote attack.
The AR-924 pagers used by the militants were manufactured by BAC Consulting KFT in Budapest, Hungary, according to a statement released by Gold Apollo on Wednesday (September 18, 2024).
“According to our agreement, we authorize BAC to use our brand trademark for product sales in specific regions, while the design and production of the products remain the responsibility of BAC,” the statement explained.
Hsu Ching-kuang, the chairman of Gold Apollo, informed reporters on Wednesday (September 18, 2024) about the licensing agreement with BAC over the past three years, although no concrete evidence of the contract was provided.
The AR-924 pager, known for its durability, featured a rechargeable lithium battery and could receive text messages of up to 100 characters with a battery life of up to 85 days. This feature was especially valuable in Lebanon, where power outages were common due to economic hardships. Pagers, operating on a separate wireless network from mobile phones, were considered more reliable in emergencies, which is why many hospitals worldwide still utilized them.
Death Toll from Pager Attack
Lebanon’s Health Minister confirmed that the death toll from the exploding pagers used by Hezbollah has risen to 12, including two children and unspecified healthcare workers.
Health Minister Firas Abiad noted that a significant number of the wounded individuals required hospitalization, surpassing the casualties from the 2020 Beirut Port explosion.
“Most of the wounded individuals were located in Beirut and its surrounding areas,” he added.
Israeli Military Response
The Israeli military reported intercepting two suspicious drones approaching Israel from Lebanon and Iraq on Wednesday morning (September 18, 2024), following the pager explosions in Lebanon and Syria. Hezbollah and the Lebanese government accused Israel of orchestrating a sophisticated remote attack.
Israel intercepted a drone launched from Lebanon over the Mediterranean Sea near northern Israel, while another drone from Iraq was intercepted by Israeli air force fighter jets. No casualties or damages were reported.
As a precautionary measure, Israel deployed additional troops to the northern border with Lebanon in anticipation of potential retaliation.
“The Israeli military relocated its 98th division to the northern border as a precaution,” an official stated. The division, comprising infantry, artillery, and commando units, had previously been engaged in Gaza. The official requested anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the press.
Hezbollah retaliated by launching rockets into Israel on October 8, following a deadly Hamas-led attack in southern Israel that triggered a significant Israeli response and ongoing conflict in Gaza. Subsequently, Hezbollah and Israeli forces engaged in regular skirmishes, resulting in casualties on both sides and displacing tens of thousands across the border.
Published – September 18, 2024 05:26 pm IST
