New Form of Warfare: Israel Deploys QR Code Strategy in Lebanon
Israeli forces have distributed leaflets containing QR codes across Beirut, Lebanon, in what is reported to be an attempt to entrap Lebanese citizens through phishing schemes.
According to Arab News, the leaflets distributed by Israel contain incitement urging Lebanese citizens to demand the dismantling of Hezbollah’s weaponry. The headline reads: “Following success in Gaza, the newspaper ‘New Reality’ now publishes in Lebanon—where is our country headed?”
Lebanese military officials and cybersecurity experts have warned citizens against scanning the QR codes on these leaflets using mobile phones. They suspect the links embedded in the QR codes are phishing attempts. Phones used to scan the codes risk being compromised or tracked by Israeli forces.
Beyond phishing links, Israel has also distributed QR codes containing WhatsApp and Facebook accounts belonging to Israeli intelligence. Israel operates Unit 504, a unit responsible for recruiting informants.
The distribution of leaflets forms part of Israel’s psychological warfare campaign targeting civilians. Lebanese residents have also reported receiving random threatening phone calls and SMS messages. The objective is to create panic.
Israeli SMS messages have even been sent to government offices and court buildings. Recipients immediately evacuated the buildings out of fear of airstrikes.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the military has been ordered to expand its military campaign, including operations in Lebanon.
“We are promising calm and security to communities in the north, and that is what we will deliver,” Katz said during a meeting with senior military officials, as quoted by Reuters on Friday, 13 March 2026.
An airstrike struck a building in the Bachoura district, approximately 1 kilometre from Lebanon’s government headquarters, the Grand Serail, at 17:30 local time. Prior to the strike, Israeli military issued a warning to residents to evacuate the area, which was described as being near Hezbollah facilities that were targets.
Shortly afterwards, a similar warning was issued to residents in the nearby Zuqaq al-Blat district. A subsequent strike then struck a building closer to the government complex.