Nine people, including a child, were killed and around 2,800 injured after handheld pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon, according to the country’s health minister.
Among those injured was Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon. The blasts occurred simultaneously in Beirut and several other regions.
Hezbollah, a powerful armed group backed by Iran, confirmed that the pagers were used by members of its various units and institutions. The group announced that eight of its fighters were among the dead and accused Israel of being responsible for the explosions, calling it “criminal aggression” and vowing “just retribution.” The Israeli military has declined to comment on the accusations.
The explosions in Lebanon come at a time of heightened tension along the Israel-Lebanon border, which has seen almost daily exchanges of fire since the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza began on October 7. Israel’s security cabinet recently declared stopping Hezbollah attacks in the north as a war goal, aimed at facilitating the safe return of displaced residents.
Hezbollah has justified its actions by stating its support for Hamas, the Iran-backed Palestinian group involved in the ongoing conflict with Israel. In its latest statement, Hezbollah vowed to continue its operations in solidarity with Gaza, while also warning Israel of severe retaliation for a recent attack.
Both Hezbollah and Hamas are designated as terrorist organizations by Israel, the UK, and several other countries. The United Nations has expressed grave concern over the escalating violence in Lebanon, fearing it could further destabilize an already volatile region.
The explosions that rocked Lebanon on Tuesday evening left many in shock and disbelief, marking an unprecedented event in the country’s recent history. Hezbollah reported that pagers used by its members exploded at around 15:30 local time (12:30 GMT) in Beirut and other areas. The pagers, crucial for Hezbollah’s communications due to concerns over mobile phone security, caused multiple casualties.
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CCTV footage captured the moment of one explosion, showing a man being thrown to the ground in a supermarket, and others fleeing in panic. The LAU Medical Centre in Beirut, overwhelmed by casualties, had to restrict access as medical staff dealt with severe injuries, including numerous cases of lost fingers.
Hezbollah confirmed the deaths of eight fighters but did not elaborate on the specifics. Reports indicated that among the fatalities were the son of Hezbollah MP Ali Ammar and a 10-year-old girl from a Hezbollah family. Hezbollah has accused Israel of orchestrating the attacks and vowed retaliation.
In Syria, 14 people were also injured by similar explosions. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have condemned the attacks, attributing them to Israeli aggression. The US, however, denied any involvement and called for de-escalation.
The explosions of the pagers used by Hezbollah members have sparked intense speculation regarding the cause. While Hezbollah has not officially stated what it believes caused the blasts, The Wall Street Journal reported that the devices came from a recent shipment. Some Hezbollah members reportedly noticed their pagers heating up before the explosions occurred. Although overheated lithium-ion batteries can sometimes ignite, experts believe that the explosions were more likely caused by deliberate tampering.
A former British Army munitions expert suggested that the pagers were likely modified with small amounts of military-grade explosives hidden within fake components. These explosives could be detonated by an alphanumeric text message signal, effectively turning the devices into covert weapons.
Analysts, including Lina Khatib from Chatham House, pointed out that this incident reflects a significant cyber and technical breach, potentially part of Israel’s ongoing cyber operations against Hezbollah. Nicholas Blanford, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, emphasized that this event has likely incapacitated hundreds or even thousands of Hezbollah fighters, either temporarily or permanently. He warned that the attack could escalate tensions, with Hezbollah now under significant pressure to respond, making this one of the most dangerous moments in the Hezbollah-Israel conflict since its resurgence in October.
The incident has heightened fears of an aggressive retaliation by Hezbollah, which could further destabilize the region.
The recent developments reflect the ongoing escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides continuing to engage in military actions. The Israeli military did not specifically comment on the pager explosions, but its leadership has been focusing on readiness across various fronts, indicating concerns over Hezbollah’s activities.
Earlier, Israel carried out an air strike in the Blida area, killing three Hezbollah fighters, while Hezbollah responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli military positions. In addition, Israel’s Shin Bet security service claimed to have thwarted a Hezbollah bomb plot against a former senior Israeli official, adding to the ongoing tensions.
Israel’s security cabinet has made the return of displaced residents in its northern region a key objective in its broader military campaign, signaling that it may intensify its military operations against Hezbollah, especially given Hezbollah’s continued involvement alongside Hamas. The conflict has claimed hundreds of lives, with the vast majority of casualties in Lebanon being Hezbollah fighters, while civilian and military casualties have been reported on both sides.
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