Growing Tech Paranoia in Lebanon Following Deadly Hezbollah Pager Explosions

• Explosions linked to Hezbollah’s radios and pagers resulted in 37 fatalities and around 3,000 injuries, as reported by Lebanese authorities.
• Many suspect Israel to be behind the attacks, although the country has not claimed any involvement.
• Residents are now expressing mistrust towards various electronic devices, including baby monitors.

The tragic explosions involving Hezbollah-operated radios and pagers in Lebanon have led to an overwhelming sense of distrust within the community. On Tuesday and Wednesday, these devices exploded across the nation, resulting in the deaths of 37 individuals and injuring roughly 3,000 others, according to local officials.

While the definitive cause of the explosions remains uncertain, both Lebanese and American sources suggest the possibility of a coordinated Israeli attack, as reported by BBC News. However, Israel has refrained from taking responsibility for the incidents.

In a speech on Thursday, Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah condemned the events, asserting, “The enemy crossed all rules, laws, and red lines.” He emphasized that there were no moral or legal considerations in the actions taken.

In response to these alarming incidents, preventive measures have been put in place to avert further occurrences. As of Thursday, the National News Agency, cited by Reuters, announced a ban on the use of walkie-talkies and pagers on flights departing from Lebanon.

Despite these precautions, the fear among the Lebanese populace regarding their electronic devices has intensified. The New York Times reported that many now view not only pagers but also everyday devices, such as baby monitors and laptops, with suspicion.

One resident of Beirut, Mustafa Sibai, expressed his anxiety regarding his mobile phone, saying he left it on his motorcycle, fearing it might explode. He noted, “When I heard about what happened yesterday, I left my phone on my motorcycle and walked away.” He added, “Of course, we’re scared—my children, my siblings’ children—who can feel safe in this situation?”

Mustafa Jemaa, an electronics store owner in Sidon, echoed these sentiments, expressing concern that some of his products might be unsafe. He explained, “We had some devices here that we believed were 100% safe, but out of caution, we removed them… because we got worried.”

These sentiments were further expressed by Lebanon’s health minister, Firass Abiad, who noted the need for caution when using technology. He stated, “We have to think twice before using technology.”

Hussein Awada, who witnessed the aftermath of the explosions, shared his growing concern about other potential dangers. “Maybe tomorrow lighters will explode, too,” he remarked, worrying about the safety of common devices.

Amid these fears, tensions between Israel and Hezbollah are rising. On Friday, the Israeli military reported that rockets were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel, followed by retaliatory airstrikes on southern Lebanon.

As the situation develops, both residents and officials are grappling with the ramifications of these explosions, reflecting the deepening instability in the region and the pervasive anxiety over the trustworthiness of even the most ordinary technologies.

Source: BBC News, New York Times, Anadolu