Taipei: Taiwan has rejected the role of components used in explosive pagers in Lebanon. Taiwan’s Economy Minister Kuo Jyh-huei has disapproved that components used in thousands of pagers, which exploded in Lebanon earlier this week in a deadly attack linked to Hezbollah, were made in Taiwan.
As per the report to the investigators, Kuo stated that, “I can say with certainty they were not manufactured in Taiwan.” The explosions resulted in the killing of 37 people and wounded around 3,000.
The pagers, traced back to Budapest-based company BAC, were branded by Gold Apollo, a Taiwan-based electronics company. Gold Apollo has disagreed with any involvement, stating that BAC holds a licence to use its brand. There are several things unclear, how or when the pagers were weaponised to function as remotely detonated explosives.
In a follow-up attack, hundreds of hand-held radios used by Hezbollah exploded, further raising tensions. These incidents have caused concerns over potential links between Taiwan’s global tech supply chains and the devices used in the attacks. Hsu Ching-kuang, president of Gold Apollo, was caught by prosecutors in Taiwan as part of the investigation but was released after giving his words.
Security sources have attributed responsibility for the attacks to Israel, although the Israeli government has not officially commented. Hezbollah, which is aligned with Iran, has pledged to fight against Israel, intensifying the ongoing cross-border conflict following last year’s eruption of violence in Gaza.
As investigations expand, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung confirmed that no formal diplomatic issues had been raised with Israel, although security measures have been heightened at Taiwanese embassies globally. Taiwan’s judiciary is working swiftly to determine whether any Taiwanese companies were knowingly involved in the supply of components used in the explosions.
Prosecutors have searched four locations linked to Gold Apollo and Apollo Systems, a company also tied to the case. Teresa Wu, an employee of Apollo System, was also questioned but did not provide any statements to the media.
As tensions between Hezbollah and Israel mount, Taiwan remains on high alert, ensuring that its global tech industry is not implicated in the conflict. The investigation continues as judicial authorities seek to determine the full extent of the involvement of Taiwanese entities.
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