Lebanon and the armed group Hezbollah have blamed Israel for a series of explosions on Tuesday, when thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah members detonated across various regions of the country, resulting in at least nine deaths and nearly 3,000 injuries.
Authorities reported that at least nine people have died and more than 2,800 have been injured from the coordinated explosion of hundreds of pagers belonging to the Shiite militia party Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria. The attack has been deemed "unprecedented" and has further heightened tensions in an already conflict-ridden region. The pro-Iranian terrorist group issued a statement calling the explosions an act of "criminal aggression" aimed not only at its members but also at civilians, according to a report by the BBC.
Hezbollah's Response
The Lebanese militia has vowed that "this treacherous and criminal enemy will receive its just punishment." The Lebanese government has also accused Israel, but so far, Israeli authorities have not commented on the incident or the allegations.
Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated that Washington had no prior knowledge of nor involvement in the incident. Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House Press Secretary, reiterated the U.S. commitment to a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
The explosions occurred in the southern suburbs of Beirut and other locations in Lebanon. The pagers, which have been largely replaced by mobile phones in recent decades but are still used by certain groups due to their lower susceptibility to interception, exploded in public places like supermarkets, cars, and homes.
Videos and photos shared on social media depicted scenes of chaos, with numerous injured people being treated in hospitals. According to Frank Gardner, BBC's security correspondent, Hezbollah's use of pagers stems from concerns that mobile phones could be compromised by Israeli intelligence agents.
The incident has been described as a "serious security breach" for Hezbollah, and the armed group is conducting an investigation to determine the causes of the simultaneous detonations. Lebanon's state news agency and the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV station have reported on the event's magnitude and its devastating impact.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health confirmed that approximately 3,000 people were injured, with around 200 in critical condition. Additionally, at least 14 people in Syria have been reported injured due to similar explosions.
The attack comes amid ongoing clashes between Hezbollah and Israel, marked by constant cross-border fire exchanges and airstrikes.
FAQs About the Hezbollah Device Explosions
Given the severity and complexity of the recent explosions involving Hezbollah's communication devices, here are some frequently asked questions to provide more clarity on the situation.
What caused the explosions in Lebanon?
The explosions were caused by the coordinated detonation of thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah members, which Lebanon and Hezbollah have blamed on Israel.
How many people were affected by the explosions?
The explosions resulted in at least nine deaths and nearly 3,000 injuries in Lebanon, with additional injuries reported in Syria.
What has been the international response to the incident?
The U.S. State Department and the White House have stated that they had no prior knowledge or involvement in the incident, and have reiterated their commitment to a diplomatic resolution.