Newsbreak: Pager explosion hits Hezbollah, kills 9 injure thousands in Lebanon
By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
A new technology in warfare has been introduced.
On Tuesday, Lebanon saw the explosion of pagers across the middle east country targeting Hizbolla members.
The explosions killed at least nine people.
Some 2,800 were also injured, according to Lebanese health officials.
The attacks took place on the pagers of Hezbollah members exploded simultaneously.
Hizbollah is backed by Iran.
Hizbollah immediately accussed Israel plotting the widespread attacks.
Israel has yet to respond. With the new technology, warfare can now target individuals and groups provided they have pagers or even the simplest electronic gadgets.
AFP reported that the explosions come amid heightened tensions, as Israel had earlier announced an expansion of its military objectives. Initially focused on the conflict with Hamas in Gaza following the deadly October 7 attacks, Israel now plans to intensify its operations against Hezbollah along its northern border with Lebanon. Since October, there has been ongoing conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, with casualties mounting on both sides.
AFP quoted Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad confirmed the death toll, which included a young girl, and said that roughly 200 of the injured were in critical condition. Hospitals in Hezbollah strongholds, particularly in Beirut’s southern suburbs, were overwhelmed by the sudden influx of casualties. Medical personnel struggled to cope, with some victims treated in parking lots due to a lack of space.
AFP stated the nature of the explosions suggests more than a simple battery malfunction. Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute pointed to evidence that small plastic explosives were likely concealed alongside the pager batteries, detonated remotely. According to Lister, Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, may have infiltrated Hezbollah’s supply chain, planting sabotaged devices.
AFP revealed one of the deceased was the 10-year-old daughter of a Hezbollah member, who died in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley when her father’s pager exploded. A son of Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Ammar was also among the dead. Additionally, Tehran’s ambassador to Beirut was injured in the blasts, though Iranian media reported his injuries were not life-threatening.
Hezbollah, in a swift response, accused Israel of being behind the attacks, vowing retribution. “We hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression,” the group said in a statement, pledging to continue its fight in support of Gaza.
The explosions have added a new dimension to the already volatile situation in the region. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned earlier in the week that military action might be the only way to restore stability along Israel’s northern border, where cross-border clashes with Hezbollah have displaced tens of thousands.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is escalating alongside the ongoing war in Gaza. The United States, a key ally of Israel, denied any prior knowledge of the blasts. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in the region early Wednesday in a renewed attempt to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
This incident marks a significant blow to Hezbollah, which has been dealing with increasing security concerns in recent months, following a series of airstrikes that killed several of its key commanders. The group has been on high alert as Israeli military objectives have now expanded to include targeting Hezbollah’s activities in Lebanon.
AFP noted as the situation remains tense, major airlines like Lufthansa and Air France have suspended flights to Tel Aviv, Tehran, and Beirut until further notice, citing security concerns. The international community continues to watch developments closely, as any further escalation could have widespread consequences across the Middle East.
