Israel planned pager device explosions for 15 years, US intelligence source says

Israel was involved in the manufacturing of pagers that exploded among Hezbollah members this week, according to a U.S. intelligence source who spoke with ABC News. 

The source confirmed that this "supply chain interdiction" operation had been planned for at least 15 years. 

The CIA has been hesitant to use this tactic due to the high risk to innocent lives, the source noted. 

The planning for the attack involved the use of shell companies, with multiple layers of Israeli intelligence officers and their assets fronting a legitimate company that produced the pagers, the source confirmed to ABC News. 

"Notably, at least some individuals involved in the operation were reportedly unaware of who they were working for," the source said.