Beirut: In a tragic and calculated attack, at least nine people, including an 8-year-old girl, were killed, and over 2,750 others were injured across Lebanon and Syria when pagers exploded simultaneously on Tuesday. Hezbollah and Lebanese officials have pointed fingers at Israel for what appears to be a carefully planned remote assault, multiple reports said.
Among those injured was Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, who sustained minor injuries from one of the explosive devices. The incident occurred amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging fire since the October 7 Gaza war.
The explosions occurred in Hezbollah strongholds, particularly in the southern suburbs of Beirut, the Beqaa Valley, and parts of Damascus. Hezbollah’s leadership had previously advised its members to switch from mobile phones to pagers to evade Israeli surveillance, and the new devices were believed to be secure.
According to reports, the pagers suddenly heated up and exploded in crowded areas, including grocery stores, cafes, and traffic, leaving a devastating aftermath of injuries and casualties. Many victims were members of Hezbollah, and the group later confirmed that eight of the deceased were affiliated with the organization.
Hezbollah has directly accused Israel of orchestrating the attacks, vowing that “Israel will get its just punishment.” Experts believe the operation was meticulously planned, with explosive devices likely placed within the pagers during their production. The Israeli military has declined to comment on the incident.
The U.S. State Department expressed that it had no prior knowledge of the attack and was currently gathering information. Meanwhile, analysts suggest that the method used in the explosions points to a long-planned operation, possibly carried out by infiltrating the supply chain of the pagers.
This attack marks another escalation in the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, with tensions already high due to border skirmishes and threats of further military action. The devastating pager explosions have sparked fear among Hezbollah’s ranks, raising concerns about security breaches in their communications network.
Lebanon’s Health Minister Firas Abiad reported that 200 of the injured are in critical condition, with many suffering injuries to their faces, hands, and abdomens. The attacks have led to widespread panic, as hospitals struggle to cope with the influx of wounded.
As tensions rise, both Hezbollah and Israel seem braced for further confrontation, with Hezbollah pledging retribution for the deaths of its members and innocent civilians affected by the attacks.
