On September 18, multiple explosions occurred across Lebanon involving thousands of radios used by Hezbollah members, including combatants and medical personnel. The blasts resulted in 12 deaths and over 4,000 injuries. Hezbollah has accused Israel of orchestrating the attacks and has warned of severe repercussions.
Second Wave of Attacks Targets Hezbollah Strongholds: Explosions from Discontinued Radios Result in Fatalities and Injuries
The following day, September 19, a second wave of attacks struck Hezbollah's strongholds, causing dozens of radios to explode. This new round of explosions has led to 20 fatalities and around 450 injuries, with numerous buildings, shops, and vehicles caught fire. The affected radios were identified as the Japanese-made ICOM IC-V82 model, which has been discontinued and was not officially approved or examined by safety authorities.
The ICOM IC-V82, produced between 2004 and October 2014, was not available through authorised distributors, and its batteries are also no longer manufactured. ICOM has stated that they are investigating the incident and will provide updates on their website. The company warns that the products in circulation might be counterfeit.
Read more: Lebanon explosion injures 4,000, Taiwanese manufacturer denies any involvement, can Apple phones also be remotely detonated?
Manufacturer Denials and Investigations
Initial reports suggested that the explosive devices were made by Taiwanese manufacturer Gold Apollo. However, the company’s chairman, Xu Qingguang, clarified that the AR-924 model involved was actually produced by Hungarian company BAC. Gold Apollo only provided branding and was not involved in manufacturing. BAC, according to Hungarian authorities, does not have a production base and does not handle the equipment mentioned.
Legal documents reveal BAC as a trade intermediary with a minimal operational presence. The company's sole employee, Cristiana Bársony-Arcidiacono, has denied manufacturing the devices, asserting her role as a middleman.
The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense is currently investigating the truth behind these claims, with Shilin District Prosecutors Office handling the case. Xu Qingguang has been questioned as a witness, but no searches have been conducted yet.
Impact on Hezbollah’s Communications Network
Hezbollah, concerned about Israeli intelligence tracking via smartphones, had switched to radios and walkie-talkies earlier this year. The recent attacks suggest that Hezbollah’s communication network might have been infiltrated by Israeli forces. This development raises concerns about the security of electronic devices used by the group.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has implicitly acknowledged Israel’s role in disrupting Hezbollah’s communications, suggesting that the conflict is entering a new phase. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his commitment to securing northern Israel and preparing for further actions.
Implications for DePIN and Future Security
The incidents have highlighted potential security threats to decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN), which involve physical devices connected through blockchain or other decentralised technologies. The attacks underscore the need for robust security measures and risk management to protect networked devices from future threats, including both cyber and physical attacks.
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