Walkie-Talkies and Pagers Banned on All Beirut Flights

According to Lebanese National News Agency (NNA), Lebanese government authorities have prohibited the use of pagers and walkie-talkies on flights arriving at and departing from Beirut.

The ban was implemented following a recent incident in which at least 37 individuals lost their lives and approximately 3,000 sustained injuries due to the detonation of hand-held devices utilized by Hezbollah militants across Lebanon earlier this week.

Hezbollah terrorists have claimed that Israel was responsible for the explosions.

Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport announced a new restriction that forbids passengers from bringing pagers and walkie-talkies onto any aircraft. This information was provided by Faid El Hassan, the head of the Lebanese civil aviation authority, who specified that the prohibition extends to all forms of luggage and cargo.

Members of Hezbollah, that is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and many other countries, have chosen to utilize pagers as a low-tech and ostensibly secure means of communication, driven by fear that Israel might infiltrate their smartphones for surveillance purposes.

Although Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement, various media reports have speculated that the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad was behind the tampering of the devices with explosives.

Terror group leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has declared that the explosions were equivalent to a “declaration of war” and has pledged to respond. In contrast, Israeli officials have reaffirmed their commitment to preventing Hezbollah from launching rockets and mortar shells into northern Israel.

In the meantime, Qatar Airways has also announced a blanket prohibition of the transport of pagers and walkie-talkies on all flights departing from Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY). This restriction is applicable to both checked and carry-on baggage, as well as cargo.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X (former Twitter), Qatar Airways stated: “Effective immediately: In accordance with the directive from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of the Republic of Lebanon, all passengers traveling from Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) are not permitted to bring pagers and walkie-talkies on board. This ban includes checked and carry-on luggage, as well as cargo, and will be enforced until further notice.”