Gold Apollo, a Taiwanese pager company, denied making devices that exploded, blaming Hungary-based BAC for the creation, according to Reuters.
Israeli Mossad allegedly planted explosives in Hezbollah’s pagers, which detonated, injuring nearly 3,000 people, according to sources.
Lebanese officials confirmed 12 dead, including children and Hezbollah members, in the attack, which has escalated tensions between Hezbollah and Israel.
The Mossad plot involved modifying the AR-924 model pagers Hezbollah imported months before the blasts, security sources claim.
BAC, a Budapest-based company, made the devices for Gold Apollo under license, according to Gold Apollo’s founder, Hsu Ching-Kuang.
Israel, known for high-profile covert operations, declined to comment on the allegations surrounding the pager explosions.
Hezbollah fighters used the low-tech pagers, unaware that Israeli intelligence had rigged them with explosives, sources confirmed.
Lebanon’s health minister reported that injured individuals included Hezbollah fighters and Iran’s envoy to Beirut.
Despite Hezbollah’s history with Israel, the group hadn’t anticipated such a massive security breach within its ranks, officials said.
The bombings followed months of assassinations of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, many of which were attributed to Israel.
BAC’s listed address in Budapest showed no physical presence, and its CEO hasn’t responded to inquiries from reporters.
The company’s activities span various industries, from IT to crude oil extraction, raising questions about its true operations.
Israeli Mossad planted tiny explosives in the pagers, designed to detonate when a specific coded message was sent, sources stated.
The devices were fitted with explosive boards during production in Europe, making detection almost impossible, officials said.
The attack has heightened concerns of a regional conflict, as Hezbollah vows retaliation against Israel for the devastating blow.
Israel and Hezbollah have been locked in cross-border skirmishes since the Gaza conflict erupted in October last year.
Hezbollah has pledged support for Hamas in Gaza and has warned Israel of consequences for the pager massacre, it said in a statement.
The coordinated attack raises fears of a wider war between Israel, Hezbollah, and their respective allies, including Iran.
Experts believe Hezbollah faces pressure to respond strongly to the attack, given its impact on civilians and fighters alike.
Hospitals in Lebanon are overwhelmed with casualties, many suffering severe injuries from where the pagers were worn.
Hezbollah’s use of low-tech communication devices like pagers has left them vulnerable to sophisticated Israeli sabotage.