Explosions Rock Lebanon as Handheld Pagers Explode, Killing Nine
BEIRUT — Chaos erupted in Lebanon as handheld pagers used by members of the armed group Hezbollah exploded, resulting in the death of nine people, including a child, according to the country’s health minister.
Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon was among the 2,800 individuals wounded by the simultaneous blasts in Beirut and other regions. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, revealed that the pagers belonged to employees of various Hezbollah units and institutions, confirming the deaths of eight fighters.
Hezbollah Blames Israel for the Tragedy
The group immediately pointed fingers at Israel, labeling the incident as a “criminal aggression” and vowing to seek “just retribution”. The Israeli military, however, declined to comment.
Earlier in the day, Israel’s security cabinet declared that halting Hezbollah attacks in the north of the country to allow the safe return of displaced residents was an official war goal.
Escalating Tensions and Cross-Border Exchanges
Since the onset of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza on October 7, there have been frequent exchanges of fire across the Israel-Lebanon border. Hezbollah has claimed to be supporting the Iran-backed Palestinian group.
Hezbollah’s latest statement emphasized its commitment to supporting Gaza and warned of impending retaliation against Israel for the deadly incident.
International Concerns and Reactions
The United Nations expressed deep concern over the situation in Lebanon, describing it as highly volatile. Many Lebanese citizens were left in shock and disbelief following the unprecedented scale of the explosions.
As ambulances rushed the wounded to overwhelmed hospitals, the extent of the injuries became apparent, with many individuals suffering critical conditions and severe wounds.
Speculations on the Cause of the Explosions
While Hezbollah did not provide a specific reason for the pagers exploding, reports indicated that the devices might have been compromised, leading to the tragic outcome.
Experts suggested that the explosions could have been caused by overheated lithium-ion batteries or intentional tampering to trigger the blasts.
Implications and Potential Consequences
The incident has heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with fears of further escalation and retaliation. The Israeli military remains on high alert, emphasizing readiness in both offensive and defensive operations.
As the situation unfolds, the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel continues to pose a significant threat to regional stability, with both sides preparing for potential military confrontations.
