ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - September 22, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - September 22, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Second Wave of explosions in Lebanon Target Hezbollah Members
• Supply Chain and Travel Disruptions to Remain in Shanghai Until October 2024 over Tropical Storms
• Former President Trump Confirmed to Be Safe After Shots Fired near His Golf Course

Second Wave of explosions in Lebanon Target Hezbollah Members

Local reports indicate that at least three people were killed and hundreds wounded when thousands of walkie talkies and other hand-held communication devices belonging to Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon on September 18, 2024. This comes a day after thousands of pagers belonging to Hezbollah partisans detonated as part of an apparent Israeli attack that killed at least a dozen of the group’s fighters. The first wave involved Israel's Mossad spy agency planting explosives inside 5,000 Taiwan-made pagers ordered by Hezbollah, which detonated across Lebanon, killing nine people and injuring nearly 3,000, including Hezbollah fighters and Iran's envoy to Beirut.

Supply Chain and Travel Disruptions to Remain in Shanghai Until October 2024 over Tropical Storms

In Shanghai, the most densely populated Chinese city, Typhoon Bebinca has led to the evacuation of 414,000 people, the cancellation of 1,400 flights from two airports, the relocation of 811 ships, and the suspension of 570 passenger trains. Many businesses were already closed for the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival, and China foresaw a travel surge during these holidays. However, travel disruptions in Shanghai are expected to last until September 17. Meanwhile, the China Meteorological Administration confirmed the formation of another tropical storm, Pulasan, emerging from the Northwestern Pacific Ocean and projected to approach the East China Sea. Pulasan may follow a path similar to that of Bebinca, and the next ten days are expected to be particularly active for tropical storms, with the potential for consecutive typhoons forming to impact the region before October 1, 2024. October 1 to October 8 aligns with China's busy Golden Week travel holiday when most businesses and factories are closed. However, supply chain disruptions could be extended due to storms.

Former President Trump Confirmed to Be Safe After Shots Fired near His Golf Course

Former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump has assured he is safe after the Secret Service foiled an assassination attempt on him while golfing in West Palm Beach, Florida. Secret Service agents spotted a gunman with an assault rifle in bushes near the course. The suspect fled but was later arrested, leaving behind the weapon and other items. This incident follows a prior attempt on former President Trump’s life at a Pennsylvania rally. President Joe Biden has issued a statement condemning the attack and pledging to ensure the Secret Service has all necessary resources to protect former President Trump. There have been false reports on social media about explosives found in a car close to Former President Trump’s planned rally in New York. Law enforcement has reportedly taken down these posts and has detained an individual who has also falsely reported this incident.