Why Did Qatar Airways Ban Pagers and Walkie-Talkies on Flights from Lebanon?

Qatar Airways has enforced a ban on all passengers flying from Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) from carrying pagers and walkie-talkies on board. This ban follows pager and walkie-talkie explosions in Lebanon, leading to devastating consequences. According to the Al Jazeera report on the latest blasts on Wednesday, at least 20 people died, and more than 450 individuals were injured. Furthermore, this incident followed another blast that killed 12 people, and over 2800 persons were injured in a coordinated explosion of pagers in Lebanon.

In response to these attacks, The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared on Thursday that they had launched targeted strikes against Hezbollah's terrorist capabilities and infrastructure in London. These strikes aimed to improve security in Northern Israel, enabling the residents to return to their homes and meet their strategic objectives.

IDF declared through a post on X, "The IDF is currently striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon to degrade Hezbollah's terrorist capabilities and infrastructure. For decades, Hezbollah has weaponized civilian homes, dug tunnels beneath them and used civilians as human shields--having turned southern Lebanon into a war zone. The IDF is operating to bring security to northern Israel in order to enable the return of residents to their homes and achieve war goals."

The concerned airline announced on Thursday, September 19, 2024, that this ban applies to checked luggage, carry-on bags, and cargo as well, and it will remain in effect until further notice. Qatar Airways stated on its social media account on X, "Effective immediately: As per the directive from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of the Republic of Lebanon, all passengers flying from Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) are prohibited from carrying pagers and walkie-talkies on board. This restriction covers checked and carry-on luggage, along with cargo, and will be enforced until further notice."

Moreover, Israel's Defense Minister - Yoav Gallant, announced the commencement of a "new phase" in the war, highlighting the emphasis on the need to shift resources and attention to the northern front. Their Defense Minister stated in his post on X, "We are entering a new phase in the war—allocating resources and forces to the northern arena. Our mission is clear: to ensure the safe return of communities in northern Israel to their homes. To achieve this, we must alter the security situation."

According to the CNN report, Lebanese Red Cross teams and multiple ambulance crews have been deployed in the rescue operations and evacuations of the injured individuals due to the walkie-talkie explosions on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

Iran has also come into the picture, condemning the attacks in Lebanon. The Reuters quoted government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani saying, "The terrorism of the Zionist regime causes aversion and disgust. Iran strongly condemns yesterday's criminal explosion of communication devices and today's criminal explosion of walkie-talkies, which resulted in the death and injury of hundreds of Lebanese civilians."

Furthermore, it is suspected that Israel's spy agency Mossad is involved in planting explosives inside pagers imported by Hezbollah.