Lebanese authorities have issued a nationwide ban on pagers and walkie-talkies on flights departing from Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport. This measure follows a series of deadly explosions that rocked the country over two days in mid-September 2024. The blasts, which were triggered by wireless communication devices, killed at least 32 people and injured over 3,000, sparking fears of more sophisticated attacks.
The General Directorate of Civil Aviation in Lebanon implemented the ban, which affects all airlines operating out of Beirut. Passengers are prohibited from carrying these devices in both checked luggage and carry-on bags. The decision, effective immediately, is aimed at preventing further incidents involving these communication tools, which had been turned into lethal explosives.
Israel just carried out something that will go down in history books.
Hezbollah leadership had switched to using pagers and flip phones so that they can't be hacked, but Israel hacked thousands of them to explode which has resulted in hospitals in Lebanon being overwhelmed with… pic.twitter.com/mQWuQpQPr4— Yaakov Strasberg (@YaakovStras) September 17, 2024
The explosions, which targeted wireless communication equipment like pagers and walkie-talkies, hit several key areas across Lebanon, including Baalbek. Hezbollah, a powerful Lebanese militant group, has blamed Israel for orchestrating the attacks. The group accused Israel of using these devices as a tool of warfare, marking an escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. While Israel has not officially commented on the claims, the attacks have heightened tensions in a region already on edge due to Israel's military actions against Gaza.
In response to the explosions, the Lebanese government has been on high alert, with citizens growing increasingly wary of the devices that were once considered harmless. Hezbollah’s leadership has vowed retaliation, and fears of a wider conflict have mounted.
🇱🇧 The U.S. State Dept says the U.S. was not involved in the pager explosions in Lebanon and was not aware of the incident beforehand.
In unrelated news, the American University of Beirut Medical Center replaced the pagers of their doctors and staff 2 weeks ago. pic.twitter.com/G5wwQ4tBlj
— Expat Vibes (@expatvibes) September 17, 2024
The attacks come as Israel continues its military operations against Gaza, a campaign that has resulted in thousands of deaths since October 2023. Lebanese officials are concerned that this latest development could lead to a broader escalation, especially given the volatile situation at the Israel-Lebanon border.
The ban on these communication devices is expected to remain in place indefinitely, with Lebanese officials warning that any pagers or walkie-talkies found during airport security checks will be confiscated. Qatar Airways and other international airlines have already updated their policies to reflect the new restrictions. Travelers from Beirut should be aware that similar bans could extend to other electronic devices in the future if the situation deteriorates further.
The broader geopolitical implications of these attacks are still unfolding, as Lebanon grapples with how to respond without further inflaming tensions. The ban reflects the country's immediate security concerns, as authorities struggle to prevent future attacks while balancing the risk of wider military engagement. Observers believe that Israel’s use of sophisticated technological warfare could inspire other nations or groups to adopt similar tactics, raising questions about the future of air travel security in conflict zones.
For now, the Lebanese public remains in shock, processing the devastating loss of life and bracing for potential retaliation from Hezbollah. Meanwhile, the international community watches closely, concerned that this latest round of violence could destabilize an already fragile region.
