Analysis of statements from international governments and organizations reported by major news outlets

Mossad Reveals Decade-Long Plot of 16,000 Explosive Pagers Against Hezbollah on '60 Minutes'

Dec 23, 2024, 01:11 AM

Two retired Mossad agents, including one under the pseudonym "Gabriel", have revealed details of a covert operation in which Israel's intelligence agency tricked Hezbollah into purchasing explosive pagers and radios, as reported on CBS's '60 Minutes' with interviewer Lesley Stahl. In 2022, Mossad discovered that Hezbollah was buying pagers from Gold Apollo in Taiwan. Over ten years of planning, Mossad orchestrated the sale of more than 16,000 devices with explosive batteries to Hezbollah operatives. The agents described how they "created a pretend world", acting as a "global production company" to deceive Hezbollah. Mossad tested the explosives to ensure only the operator would be harmed. Upon activation, the devices resulted in casualties among Hezbollah members, with approximately 4,000 operatives injured and around 30 deaths, including two children. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah reportedly witnessed the explosions firsthand. Former CIA Director Leon Panetta called the operation "terrorism". The operation weakened Hezbollah and Iran's regional influence, leading to a ceasefire in the north and isolating Hamas.