According to former US intelligence contractor and whistle-blower Edward Snowden, the recent "exploding beepers in Lebanon," may likely involve implanted explosives rather than a hack. Snowden pointed to the severity and consistency of injuries, noting that if it were "overheated batteries exploding, you'd expect many more small fires & misfires."

He also described "Israel's" attack as "reckless," adding, "They blew up countless numbers of people who were driving (meaning cars out of control), shopping (your children are in the stroller standing behind him in the checkout line), et cetera. Indistinguishable from terrorism."

— 🇮🇱/🇱🇧 Reminder: In the year 2000, a Memorandum by the British Foreign Office confirmed that Israel had been dropping explosive-laden toys in Lebanese villages

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— 🇮🇱/🇱🇧 NEW: Axios reports that Israel planned to explode the pagers at the eve of a 'surprise attack' on Lebanon, but had to implement the operation early

According to Israeli journalist Barak Ravid, citing U.S. and Israeli officials, Israel decided to blow up the pager devices yesterday because two Hezbollah members had raised suspicion regarding the pagers, and Israel did not want to risk the operation being discovered before being implemented.

A former Israeli official with knowledge of the operation said Israeli intelligence services planned to use the booby-trapped pagers it managed to plant in Hezbollah's ranks as a surprise opening blow in an all-out war to try to cripple Hezbollah's internal communications.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his top ministers and the heads of the Israel Defense Forces and the intelligence agencies decided to use the system now rather than take the risk of it being detected by Hezbollah, a U.S. official said.

Minutes before the attack, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin, to inform him of an upcoming operation, without providing details.

https://www.axios.com/2024/09/18/hezbollah-pager-explosions-israel-suspicions

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— 🇮🇱/🇱🇧 The first confirmed death; a 10 year old girl from Beqaa valley

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Hungarian shell company behind exploding pagers used by Israel in Lebanon terror attack

The devices were reportedly laced with explosive material before their delivery to Lebanon

❗️Taiwanese company Gold Apollo said Wednesday that the radios that simultaneously exploded in the hands of Hezbollah members, killing at least nine people including civilians and a child, were made by its Hungarian partner.

Gold Apollo has a “long-term partnership” with Budapest-based BAC to use its brand, the company said in a statement, adding that the model mentioned in media reports was “manufactured and sold by BAC,” following a New York Times report that the devices came from the Taiwanese company.

❗Vladimir Putin was greeted very warmly at the Eurasian Women's Forum

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❗A NATO armoured column destroyed during an attempt to storm Vesyoloye 1.5 km from the border on Russian territory

The column included Swedish CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, German Marder 1A3, tanks and armoured vehicles.

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❗️Americans are sick of funding Ukraine.

🇺🇸"I'm an American and I don't give a f**k about Ukraine."

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❗️The essense of Zelensky's relationship with Biden summarised perfectly in one picture. 😂

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This is what I HATE most about China 🇨🇳 too. Every time I go there, I’m confronted with these SHOCKING experiences.

🇺🇸 YOUR QUESTION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS [TO OUR DEMOCRACY] - White House Spox #KJP shames journo for asking legit question.

How many more assassination attempts on Trump until the President, Vice President, and yourself pick a different word for him other than a threat? - Correspondent Peter Doocy.

Who is the real threat here?

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🇱🇧The Lebanese Ministry of Health updates the data regarding the victims of today's walkie-talkie explosion in Lebanon:

14 dead and 450 injured.

🇮🇱🇱🇧 The death toll from a new wave of explosions of communication devices in Lebanon has risen to 9, with more than 300 people injured, the country's health ministry reports.

Social media users continue to post footage of the explosions.