Taiwan Denies Connection to Explosive Pagers in Lebanon
In a recent incident that has raised international concerns, Taiwan's Ministry of Economy has firmly denied any involvement in the export of pagers linked to a deadly explosion in Lebanon. The explosion, which occurred during a Hezbollah operation, resulted in the tragic deaths of 9 individuals and left approximately 2,750 injured. The ministry emphasized that there are no records of exports from the Taiwanese manufacturer, Gold Apollo, to Lebanon, countering claims that Taiwanese devices were responsible for the catastrophe.
Gold Apollo's Clarification on Manufacturing Origins
Gold Apollo, the Taiwanese company involved, clarified that the pagers in question were actually manufactured by its Hungarian partner, BAC, based in Budapest. The company's director, Hsu Shing-kuang, stated that the communication devices were produced outside of Taiwan, following a licensing agreement established three years ago. This clarification comes after reports suggested that these devices were linked to the tragic events in Lebanon, with the company stressing that the AR924 model mentioned in news reports is not a product of their Taiwanese operations.
Allegations of Israeli Involvement
The situation has escalated with allegations from Lebanese officials that the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, may have planted explosives within the pagers imported by Hezbollah. This claim has been met with silence from Israeli authorities, while Hezbollah has vowed to seek
- The explosion occurred in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut, targeting members of Hezbollah who were using the wireless communication devices. The Lebanese Health Minister, Firas Abiad, confirmed the fatalities and injuries, highlighting the severity of the incident. Reports have suggested that the pagers were part of a larger shipment, with around 5,000 units imported by Hezbollah months prior to the incident, raising questions about the safety and security of imported communication technology. The international ramifications of this incident could be significant, as it not only involves allegations of foreign interference but also raises concerns about the safety of communication devices used in conflict zones. The Taiwanese government has stated its commitment to ensuring that its products are not misused, while the situation continues to develop in Lebanon.
