60 Minutes Special. Inside Mossad's Secret Weapon: The Pager Plot That Shocked Hezbollah

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On September 17, after nearly a year of escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel's Mossad executed one of the most daring counterintelligence operations in history: the pager plot. This modern-day Trojan horse involved the creation of explosive-laden pagers, tricking Hezbollah fighters into carrying these devices unknowingly.  

 

CBS 60 minutes interviewed two recently retired senior (alleged) Mossad agents with leading roles in the "pager and walkie-talkie" operation which decimated Hezbollah. Watch this fascinating interview!

CBS 60 minutes interviewed two recently retired senior (alleged) Mossad agents with leading roles in the "pager and walkie-talkie" operation which decimated Hezbollah.

Watch this fascinating interview! pic.twitter.com/SuxNUdqWX1

— Israel News Pulse (@israelnewspulse) December 23, 2024

 

The repercussions of this operation have been profound, leading to significant setbacks for Hezbollah, weakening Iran's regional influence, and even contributing to the fall of Syria's Assad regime. Two retired senior Mossad agents involved in the operation recently spoke about their roles under conditions of anonymity. One of them, referred to as Michael, explained his position as a case officer, describing it as "the commander of the operation."  

A former Mossad agent confirmed to 60 Minutes that Israel tested the pagers to ensure there was just enough explosive to harm the Hezbollah fighter — but not the person next to him.

pic.twitter.com/FAmFpOq6eV

— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) December 23, 2024

 

The plot's origins trace back a decade, beginning not with pagers but with weaponized walkie-talkies. These devices concealed explosives in their batteries. "A walkie-talkie was a weapon just like a bullet or a missile," Michael said. Another agent, identified as Gabriel, elaborated, "If we push the button, the only one that will get injured is the terrorist himself. Even if his wife or his daughter will be just next to him, he's the only one that's going to be harmed."  

 

Gabriel described rigorous testing to ensure minimal collateral damage, with the walkie-talkies doubling as explosive devices. These earlier experiments paved the way for the explosive pager, a seemingly innocuous communication device. The Mossad team created a prototype pager with unique features, such as dustproofing, waterproofing, and extended battery life, marketing it through fake advertisements and shell companies. "We make advertising movies and brochures, and we put it on the internet. And—it became—the best product in the beeper area in the world," Gabriel recounted.  

 

Using these tactics, Mossad duped Hezbollah into adopting the devices. Gabriel recalled the elaborate scheme: "When they are buying from us, they have zero clue that they are buying from the Mossad. We make like 'Truman Show,' everything is controlled by us behind the scene." By September 2024, Hezbollah had unknowingly distributed 5,000 of these pagers among their members.  

 

When suspicions arose, Mossad acted swiftly. On September 17, pagers began beeping across Lebanon with an innocuous message instructing users to press two buttons—triggering the explosives. "That was the whole point," Gabriel explained, emphasizing the psychological and physical impact of the operation. The explosions caused widespread chaos, killing about 30 people, including two children, and injuring thousands. Mossad followed up by detonating dormant walkie-talkies, creating further havoc.  

 

Gabriel clarified the operation's goal: "The aim wasn't killing Hezbollah terrorists. If he's just dead, so he's dead. But if he's wounded, you have to take him to the hospital, take care of him. You need to invest money and efforts."  

 

The psychological toll was immense, with Lebanese citizens afraid to use everyday items like air conditioners, fearing they might explode. "The day after the pagers exploded, people were afraid to turn on the air conditioners in Lebanon because they were afraid that they would explode," Michael revealed, describing the operation as part of a larger psychological war.  

 

While the pager plot severely weakened Hezbollah, Mossad agents acknowledge the challenges of maintaining Israel’s moral reputation. Gabriel admitted, "First, you have to defend your people not being killed by the thousands. And then the reputation."  

 

Despite the operation's success, its rippling effects are still unfolding. The psychological blow dealt to Hezbollah also isolated Hamas, leaving them vulnerable. "They are completely isolated now," Michael noted, expressing hope for its influence on broader conflicts. While Mossad has moved on to new methods, the pager plot remains a testament to their ingenuity and relentless pursuit of Israel's security.

 

Based on a report by CBS 2024-12-24

 

 

 

[Nick Carter icp]

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