The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently launched an attack on Beirut, resulting in the deaths of 136 civilians, with hundreds injured and thousands displaced. This situation could lead Lebanon to become a second Palestine. Yesterday, Sayed Hassan Nasrallah, head of Hezbollah's intelligence since 1992, was confirmed killed in one of these strikes. Before his assassination, Nasrallah identified the "main target" as the Glilot military intelligence base near Tel Aviv, which Israeli media reported is home to the Mossad headquarters. He also noted a secondary target, Ein Shemer, a military airport used by Israeli drones. Both targets are key to Israel’s defense strategy.
The conflict began on September 17, 2024, when thousands of handheld pagers and hundreds of walkie-talkies intended for Hezbollah exploded simultaneously across Lebanon and Syria. By September 22, 2024, 42 individuals had died, including at least 12 civilians. The simultaneous explosions of the pagers and walkie-talkies have raised suspicions about Mossad’s involvement. Hezbollah had acquired around 5,000 units of these pagers, believing them secure from hacking. The Taiwanese company remained tight-lipped and declined to comment on the matter, stating that an Israeli firm served as a third-party seller and has refused to cooperate in any way.
There are theories suggesting that the pagers and walkie-talkies were tampered with by an unknown entity, who altered the batteries and added triggers to cause the explosions. Many associate this with a secretive unit in Israel known as Unit 8200, an elite intelligence division of the IDF focused on signals intelligence (SIGINT) and cyber warfare. Established in the early 1950s, Unit 8200 plays a crucial role in intelligence gathering, data analysis, and military support, renowned for its secrecy and rigorous selection process. It has produced many veterans who later founded influential tech startups, contributing to Israel’s reputation as a global tech hub, such as founder of Better Place.
While Mossad is one of Israel's most recognized intelligence agencies, it operates alongside other important organizations, particularly the IDF's intelligence units, including Unit 8200. Mossad primarily concentrates on foreign intelligence, covert operations, and counterintelligence. This structure enables Israel to maintain a comprehensive intelligence capability, where Mossad's prominence can overshadow the significant roles of other units. Such strategic positioning helps safeguard sensitive operations and maintain operational security, keeping elite and specialized units out of the spotlight. This approach minimizes risks by limiting exposure and enhancing mission success.
October 1, 2024