Lebanon’s communication networks have become a source of profound concern for Hezbollah, particularly following successful Israeli intelligence operations that have penetrated the phones of key leaders and operatives, allowing for easy tracking and assassination.
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has labeled mobile phones as “lethal informants” and urged party members to abandon their use.
Reports indicating Israel’s ability to infiltrate internet networks and access Wi-Fi systems have only heightened anxieties for the Lebanese group.
The reasons behind Israel’s effective execution of assassinations vary, including recruitment of local agents and possession of advanced technologies.
While ground agents have historically played a role, recent events raise questions about the extent to which Israel’s success is due to these operatives or its technological capabilities.
Communication and social media expert Omar Qasqas affirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Israel “has almost total control over Lebanese phone networks.”
According to Qasqas, Israel’s penetration of Lebanese phone networks occurs through malware attacks, phone calls, and exploiting vulnerabilities in phone networks, particularly transmission stations.
This allows Israel to eavesdrop on calls, access messages and images, and pinpoint device locations.
Mobile phone users often disable internet services and switch to Wi-Fi for security, but experts warn that Wi-Fi networks are not secure due to outdated technology.
Lebanon’s failure to invest in modernizing its communication infrastructure leaves it vulnerable to Israel’s advanced tactics.
Social media monitoring adds another layer of concern. Israel can access social media platforms to monitor user activity, even breaching profiles to track comments, likes, and friend requests.
This surveillance extends to all levels, posing significant privacy and security risks for users.
In light of these developments, Hezbollah’s call to abandon mobile phones underscores the gravity of the situation.
