Confusion and speculation swirl in Lebanon after a series of mysterious explosions destroyed thousands of handheld walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members in Beirut’s suburbs and the Bekaa Valley on Wednesday. This incident follows the explosion of pagers on Tuesday, raising concerns about the integrity of communication devices used by the group.
Images circulating of the exploded walkie-talkies display labels bearing the name of Japanese radio communications and telephone company Icom, resembling the firm’s IC-V82 model.
Responses from Icom
According to The Japan Times, Icom exported its IC-V82 two-way radio to regions including the Middle East until October 2014, when it ceased production and sales of the device. The Osaka-based company also halted the production of batteries needed to operate the main unit, as stated in a Thursday press release.
Given the severe damage around the battery compartments in the photographs, Icom director Yoshiki Enomoto suggested in a report by Kyodo News that the batteries might have been modified with explosives after procurement.
Meanwhile, Ray Novak, senior sales manager for Icom America’s amateur radio division, told the Associated Press that the walkie-talkies involved in the Lebanon explosions appear to be counterfeit products. “I can assure you, they are not our products,” he said in an interview, stressing that the devices were not manufactured by Icom.
Disputed Involvement of Other Companies
Gold Apollo, the company holding the brand name of the pager involved in Tuesday’s incident, asserted on Wednesday that it had only licensed the use of its name on the AR-924 pager, which was manufactured by Budapest-based BAC Consulting KFT.
“According to the cooperation agreement, we authorize BAC to use our brand trademark for product sales in designated regions,” the company stated. “But the design and manufacturing of the products are solely the responsibility of BAC.”
However, the narrative took another twist when NBC News quoted BAC Consulting’s Chief Executive, Cristiana Barsony-Arcidiacono, denying any role in the pagers’ production. “I don’t make the pagers,” she told the network. “I am just the intermediate. I think you got it wrong.”
Further complicating matters, Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter), “The referenced devices have never been in Hungary.”
Security Concerns Highlighted
Amid the confusion, cybersecurity experts are weighing in on the implications of these incidents. Hadi El Khoury, a Paris-based cybersecurity expert, told Al Jazeera, “If you don’t have your own supply chain, then the device in your pocket is not hacker-proof.” He emphasized that reliance on technology from external sources can introduce potential vulnerabilities.
“When they use Siemens or Microsoft Windows or any technology that comes from the West, this means that somehow, somewhere, you will have a weak element in your chain,” El Khoury explained.
The incidents underscore the complexities and risks associated with global supply chains and the use of communication technologies in sensitive contexts.
(With input from agencies.)
Reference(s):
Confusion surrounds companies in the Lebanon explosion cases
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