Hezbollah has long emphasized secrecy as a crucial element of its military tactics, opting to avoid sophisticated technology to prevent infiltration by Israeli and US intelligence agencies. In a recent televised address, Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah urged Hezbollah members and their families in southern Lebanon to refrain from using cell phones to safeguard security and protect lives.
Nasrallah warned that cell phones could potentially be used as tools for collaboration with Israeli forces, labeling them as threats to the safety and integrity of individuals. Unlike many other non-state actors in the region, Hezbollah units are known to rely on an internal communications network, which is a fundamental aspect of the group's operational structure.
Hezbollah's use of pagers, a seemingly outdated form of communication in Lebanon, was intended to prompt members to connect through secure phone lines. However, recent events have indicated a breach in this system, causing concern within the Iran-backed organization.
The infiltration of these pagers, albeit one step removed from Hezbollah's primary networks, has raised alarms within the group. Despite its efforts to evade detection by Israeli surveillance, Hezbollah's simplistic approach to communication has seemingly led to unintended consequences.
