Hungary-based BAC Consulting, the manufacturer of pagers that exploded across Lebanon on Tuesday, is reportedly an Israeli shell company, according to the New York Times (NYT). The blasts resulted in at least 20 fatalities and hundreds of injuries, and are believed to have been orchestrated by Israeli intelligence to disrupt Hezbollah’s communications network.

BAC Consulting was designed to obscure the identities of those involved in producing these dangerous devices. While the company manufactured standard pagers for various clients, those intended for Hezbollah were specifically modified to include explosive-laden batteries. Shipments of these pagers to Lebanon began in small batches in 2022. Following a public call by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who urged his members to use pagers to avoid Israeli surveillance, demand for these devices surged among Hezbollah operatives. This directive led to a significant increase in pager shipments, with thousands reportedly distributed to Hezbollah personnel and their allies.

On Tuesday, a series of explosions rocked Lebanon as the pagers detonated after users received what they believed were routine messages from Hezbollah. Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes as the blasts caught many off guard. Hospitals in Beirut treated severe injuries, including eye damage and amputations. Experts suggest that these attacks have significantly impacted Hezbollah and raised concerns about the security of its communication network. Many in Lebanon are left wondering what will happen next, while Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate, calling the attacks a “criminal act” by Israel.

Security experts are now questioning Hezbollah’s operational security. Although pagers are typically viewed as less traceable than mobile phones, this incident has revealed vulnerabilities when such devices are compromised. Analysts speculate that a supply chain attack may have allowed explosives to be embedded in the pagers during production or transit before they reached Hezbollah.