Ex-IDF and NSA analysts told Forbes the attackers likely intercepted the devices, tampered with their software and turned them into explosives that can be detonated from anywhere.
Hundreds of wireless pagers exploded at the same time across Lebanon on Tuesday, leading to claims Israel could have hacked the devices of Hezbollah operatives.
But ex-intelligence analysts tell Forbes a totally remote hack is not the most likely explanation. “Looking at the videos it seems like the explosion was way stronger than anything that could be potentially made by a regular [computing] chip,” said one former IDF agent, asking to remain anonymous because of their prior affiliation with Israel intelligence.
A more likely scenario, the agent said, is that devices were intercepted prior to delivery and outfitted with explosives and software that would detonate them when they received a trigger message.
