Scailex Corp, which imports Samsung products in Israel, confirmed today (June 23) that it has been experiencing issues with batteries of the popular Galaxy S4 smartphone, according to Reuters.

The company made its announcement after local media reported that batteries were malfunctioning upon the request of the Israel Securities Authority.

Yedioth Ahronoth, the top-selling newspaper in Israel, reported that "thousands" of the batteries in Israel had issues with swelling.

At least 20 batteries had burst into flames, according to the report.

"Starting in the third quarter of 2013, we began to receive indications of problems," Scailex said in a statement to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. "The company was in constant and intensive contact with Samsung on the issue of these problems, and in February 2014 started an independent examination."

The investigation is "ongoing," according to the newspaper.

Scailex has not confirmed the specific problems it's encountered, but has passed the details on to Samsung and requested clarifications.

Samsung responded saying it "operates according to the highest quality and safety standards," that external testing showed the problems didn't make their batteries unsafe.

The Galaxy S4 maker is working directly with the local cellular operators on the problem.

Scailex is not aware of similar issues in Galaxy S4 devices manufactured after January 2014.

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