In a devastating incident across Lebanon, hundreds of paging devices used by Hezbollah members exploded on Tuesday, killing at least nine people, including a child, and injuring 2,800 others. The blasts, which Hezbollah swiftly blamed on Israel, left more than 200 in critical condition, overwhelming hospitals across the country.
The Incident
The explosions began around 3 p.m. local time, as pagers carried by Hezbollah members detonated across various locations. Lebanon’s Health Minister Firass Abiad reported widespread injuries, including severe eye wounds and amputations. Among the fatalities was the 10-year-old daughter of a Hezbollah member in the Bekaa Valley. Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was also lightly wounded in the incident.
Hezbollah’s Response
Hezbollah, a dominant political and military force in Lebanon, immediately pointed fingers at Israel, though no official statement has been made by Israeli authorities. The blasts are seen as a heavy blow to the group, which has been concerned about the security of its communications following recent Israeli strikes that killed several of its commanders.
Context of the Conflict
The explosions come amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with clashes along the Lebanon-Israel border intensifying since October following Hamas’ attack on Israel. These clashes have resulted in the deaths of hundreds in Lebanon, predominantly fighters, and dozens of Israeli soldiers.
How Was the Attack Carried Out?
According to a source close to Hezbollah, the pagers that exploded were from a recent shipment allegedly sabotaged at the source. A New York Times report revealed that the pagers had been imported from Taiwanese manufacturer Gold Apollo, with production done by a Hungarian partner. Experts believe the devices contained small plastic explosives hidden alongside their batteries, which were detonated remotely.
Charles Lister from the Middle East Institute suggested that Mossad, Israel’s spy agency, may have infiltrated the supply chain to carry out the sabotage. This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, with further repercussions expected in the region.
