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Hezbollah’s exploding pagers were made in Hungary, says Taiwanese firm

An employee of the Taiwanese company 'Gold Apollo' distributes their official statement in New Taipei City, Taiwan, 18 September 2024. EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO Dostawca: PAP/EPA.
An employee of the Taiwanese company 'Gold Apollo' distributes their official statement in New Taipei City, Taiwan, September 18, 2024. Photo: PAP/EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO
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Pagers used by Hezbollah that exploded almost simultaneously in Lebanon and Syria, injuring thousands, were manufactured in Hungary, a Taiwanese company has said.

Though the devices that exploded on Tuesday bore the logo of Taiwanese company Gold Apollo, they were produced by Budapest-based BAC Consulting KFT under a licensing agreement, the AP news agency cited Gold Apollo’s president as saying.

“This is not our product. It’s only our trademark,” added Gold Apollo chief Hsu Ching-kuang.

The executive told journalists on Wednesday that his company has had a licensing agreement with BAC for the past three years but did not provide evidence of the contract.

The pagers, distributed by terrorist group Hezbollah, exploded within minutes of each other, killing at least nine people and injuring over 2,800 in Lebanon and Syria. Among the wounded was the Iranian ambassador to Beirut, who reportedly lost an eye.

The New York Times reported that the pagers contained small explosive devices detonated remotely.

Hezbollah had been using pagers in an attempt to avoid tracking after its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, warned of potential Israeli surveillance via mobile phones.

While Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement, Lebanese security sources told Reuters that the explosives were planted by Israeli intelligence agency Mossad months earlier.

Jordanian security expert Amer Al Sabaileh said the attack dealt a psychological blow to Hezbollah, showing Israel’s capability to strike at any time.
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