Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, now in its 344th day, has killed at least 41,182 Palestinians and wounded 95,280 others — a conservative estimate — with 10,000+ believed to be buried under rubble of annihilated homes.
In a recent wave of deadly pager explosions across Lebanon, a device produced by Gold Apollo Co., Ltd., a Taiwanese company, has become a key piece of evidence. The Alphanumeric Pager (AP-900) was identified as one of the devices involved in the explosions, which killed at least nine people and injured over 2,750, including Hezbollah militants and medics.
The Role of the AP-900 Pager
The AP-900 pager, powered by AAA alkaline batteries, was popular in the 1990s and early 2000s for receiving and displaying text messages in professional and emergency settings. Despite its basic functions, experts are investigating the possibility that these pagers were rigged with explosives, as the standard battery configuration is unlikely to have caused such devastation. Authorities suggest that the devices may have been modified before reaching Hezbollah members, potentially detonated remotely via signal.
How the AP-900 Works
The AP-900 operates by receiving encoded signals, typically sent from a central paging terminal. It decodes the message and alerts the user through vibration, sound, or both. While the pager is considered reliable, it has potential vulnerabilities, including the possibility of radio signal interception and physical tampering during distribution.
Related Article: Hezbollah vows to continue supporting Gaza after pager explosions.
Could the AP-900 Be Hacked?
Though possible, hacking the AP-900 would require specialized equipment and knowledge. The most straightforward attack would involve intercepting and decoding the pager’s radio signals, which are typically unencrypted, allowing anyone with the right tools to read them. However, experts believe the recent explosions were more likely caused by physical tampering with the devices.
Investigation and Security Concerns
Security experts are now examining whether the pager’s system could have been compromised and whether the explosions were part of a larger sabotage effort. Focus is being placed on the pre-rigging of the pagers, which may have turned these once-innocuous communication devices into deadly tools in Lebanon’s ongoing conflict.
