Mossad’s "Pager Plot": A Groundbreaking Operation Against Hezbollah

In a thrilling 60 Minutes interview aired on Sunday, two former Mossad agents divulged the details of one of Israel’s most audacious counterintelligence operations, known as the "Pager Plot." Executed on September 17, 2024, this daring mission involved Mossad selling Hezbollah thousands of rigged pagers disguised as high-performance devices. The pagers, embedded with explosives, were remotely activated, resulting in widespread chaos and severe damage to the terrorist organization.

The operation, which spanned over a decade, began with the sale of weaponized walkie-talkies to Hezbollah, a tactic Mossad used to create an early psychological and physical strike against the group. These walkie-talkies were no ordinary communication tools; hidden inside the batteries were explosive devices designed to detonate at the right moment. Michael, a former Mossad officer, described the tactic as "a walkie-talkie was a weapon just like a bullet or a missile."

By 2022, Mossad shifted focus from walkie-talkies to pagers, devices widely used by Hezbollah due to their simplicity and resistance to hacking. Gabriel, another former Mossad agent, revealed how they modified commercially available pagers to include hidden explosives. After extensive testing, the Mossad ensured that the devices would only harm the user, leaving bystanders unharmed.

To sell the pagers to Hezbollah without raising suspicion, Mossad created fake marketing campaigns. Gabriel recalled, "We created a pretend world" similar to "The Truman Show" — a world where everything was a carefully orchestrated illusion. The pagers were promoted as "robust, dustproof, and waterproof," and despite skepticism from their superiors, Mossad successfully convinced Hezbollah to purchase the modified devices.

On September 17, 2024, at 3:30 p.m., Mossad remotely activated the pagers, sending encrypted instructions to their users. The pagers exploded when the users pressed two buttons or automatically detonated if they failed to do so. The explosions caused widespread panic, with hospitals overwhelmed by casualties. "People were afraid to turn on their air conditioners the next day because they thought they might explode," Michael said, highlighting the psychological impact the operation had on Hezbollah.

To further compound the damage, Mossad also activated walkie-talkies that had been dormant for over ten years. These detonated at a particularly symbolic moment — during funerals for those killed by the pager explosions. The operation resulted in approximately 3,000 Hezbollah operatives wounded, 30 killed, and left the organization in disarray.

Strategic and Regional Implications

The Pager Plot had far-reaching consequences, shaking Hezbollah’s morale and weakening the group’s influence. According to the agents, the operation directly contributed to the instability of the Assad regime in Syria and weakened Iran’s hold over the region by crippling its most powerful proxy, Hezbollah. Michael remarked, "Hezbollah is looking around and realizing they are isolated."

Moreover, the psychological impact of the operation reverberated throughout the Middle East, sending a strong message to Israel's adversaries. Gabriel emphasized that the goal was never to kill but to leave Hezbollah "with thousands of wounded, proof of our superiority."

Despite the success of the mission, the operation raised ethical questions about Israel's use of such psychological tactics. In response to concerns about Israel's moral reputation, Gabriel firmly stated, "First, you defend your people, then you worry about reputation."

The Pager Plot solidified Mossad’s reputation for psychological warfare and highlighted its ability to wage covert, high-impact operations against its enemies. Gabriel concluded, "We can’t use pagers again, but they’ll have to keep guessing what’s next." The operation not only reinforced Israel’s security but also conveyed a powerful message to its adversaries: "Don’t mess with us."