Former CIA director calls Lebanon cyberattack 'new form of terrorism'

World

Published: 2024-09-24 13:22

Last Updated: 2024-09-24 13:46


(Credit: AFP)
(Credit: AFP)

Former CIA Director Leon Panetta condemned the recent attacks in Lebanon, where explosives were concealed in wireless communication devices, calling them a "new form of terrorism."

In an interview with CBS News, Panetta warned that these bombings, which killed 37 people and injured roughly 3,000, could escalate the tensions and cause further bloodshed.

Panetta expressed alarm over the ability to weaponize everyday devices like walkie-talkies and pagers, stating, "This is a disturbing development. The fact that common technology can be transformed into weapons of terror marks a new and dangerous phase in warfare."

"When terrorism starts impacting the supply chain and everyday items, people begin asking: What’s next?" Panetta said. "The consequences of this tactic are severe, and we have yet to fully understand what may come next."