An enthusiastic group of Israeli executives were in high spirits earlier this year after witnessing the effectiveness of exploding pagers, sent by the Mossad, in eliminating Hizbollah militants and civilians in Lebanon.
However, their excitement was dampened when they encountered a former European spymaster. Instead of celebrating the Israeli sabotage, the ex-intelligence chief soberly explained that operations must be “necessary and proportionate” to be legally justified. In his opinion, the exploding pagers did not pass this test.
The coordinated detonation of thousands of Hizbollah electronic pagers on September 17 left security officials worldwide shocked by the audacious operation and intrigued by the complex front companies established by Israel to provide the booby-trapped devices.
This incident, reminiscent of a digital Trojan horse, prompted a broader discussion among western security chiefs, forcing them to grapple with essential questions about modern spycraft.
These questions included the vulnerability of their own communication systems to interception and whether they would approve a similar operation, considering the casualties inflicted by the pager attack.
While many acknowledged the extraordinary nature of the operation, only a few expressed willingness to endorse such an act.
Concerns were raised about the dangerous precedent set by the attack and the possible misuse of such tactics by non-state actors. Additionally, the smuggling of explosive-packed pagers across Europe and the Middle East posed significant risks to life and property along the route.
Former CIA Director Leon Panetta even labeled the pager attack as a “form of terrorism,” echoing the sentiments of other officials who viewed it as an extreme and questionable operation.
Despite its audacity, some officials criticized the lack of precision and targeting in the operation, highlighting the potential collateral damage that could result from such tactics.
Experts attributed the success of the operation to a small yet potent explosive concealed in the pagers’ batteries and a remote-triggered detonator.
Israel initially denied involvement in the attack but later confirmed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approval of the operation.
Supply chain sabotage and assassinations have long been part of espionage history, dating back to medieval times. The cold war era saw the CIA employing similar tactics to disrupt the Soviet Union’s technology acquisition efforts.
Following the pager attack, concerns were raised about the possibility of weaponizing various everyday technologies, posing new threats in the digital landscape.
While opinions varied among officials regarding the operation’s necessity and proportionality, many recognized the intricate considerations involved in such covert actions.
Targeted killings continue to play a central role in Israel’s security strategy, reflecting their unique security challenges and perspectives compared to western allies.
Ultimately, whether a western intelligence agency would undertake a similar operation remains uncertain, dependent on unforeseen circumstances and existential threats.
Illustration by Bob Haslett
