Israel Intelligence Unit 8200: Hezbollah members in Lebanon used pagers and walkie-talkies, not mobile phones, to send messages. At least 32 people have been killed and over 3,250 injured in explosions in these pagers and walkie-talkies in the past two days. Walkie-talkies used by Iran-backed Hezbollah members exploded in its stronghold in Beirut on Wednesday, killing at least 20 people and injuring over 450 others. The explosions in the walkie-talkies came a day after thousands of pagers exploded in Lebanon. The pager blasts killed 12 people, including two children, and injured nearly 2,800.
Unit 8200 played a big role
Till now Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad was being considered responsible for the blasts in Lebanon. But now the name of Unit 8200 is also coming to the fore. Unit 8200 has played a big role in the operation. Reuters has told quoting sources that preparations for ‘Operation Lebanon’ were being made for almost a year. Unit 8200 played a very important role in this operation. Unit 8200 was responsible for fitting explosives in the pagers that were ordered by Hezbollah.
What is Unit 8200?
Unit 8200 is one of the most secret and high-tech military units of Israel. This unit has expertise in high-profile intelligence operations and cyber warfare. Unit 8200 is a part of the Israeli army, whose work is related to technical warfare, intelligence meetings and cyber security. It is considered more dangerous than Mossad. This unit prepares strategy based on intelligence information and executes the mission. This unit is capable of performing complex intelligence work including hacking, encryption and surveillance.
Israel Intelligence (symbolic picture)
Exploits of Unit 8200
Unit 8200 has carried out many major operations. This unit is believed to have played a major role in ruining Iran’s nuclear program. This unit had developed a virus named Struxnet, which was used to attack Iran’s nuclear plants. The unit also contributed to foiling the plot of ISIS in 2018. Unit 8200 saved a plane from Australia to the United Arab Emirates from being hijacked. In 2017, this unit is also believed to be behind the cyber attack on Lebanon’s state-run telecom company Ogero.
The unit works out of the box
According to Reuters, former military intelligence officer Yossi Kuperwasser has praised Unit 8200, saying that its members are “among the best and brightest personnel in the Israeli army.” The unit recruits some of Israel’s best security personnel. The unit is known for its out-of-the-box work.
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