A coordinated attack involving exploding handheld pagers has left at least eight people dead and around 2,800 injured across Lebanon, in what is being described as a major escalation in the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. The explosions, which primarily affected Hezbollah fighters and employees, occurred on Tuesday and have caused widespread panic in southern Lebanon, eastern regions, and Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Lebanon’s Health Minister Firass Abiad reported that over 200 people are in critical condition, with injuries mostly involving the face, hands, and stomach. More than 150 hospitals are currently treating the victims, indicating the severe impact of the attack.
Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, swiftly blamed Israel for the pager explosions, releasing a statement promising that Israel would face fair punishment. This incident represents the largest security breach Hezbollah has experienced since the onset of Israel's war on Gaza in October, following the Hamas-led attacks on Israeli territory. A Hezbollah official, speaking anonymously, noted the gravity of the breach, underscoring that this was the most significant infiltration of the group’s communication systems in years.
The attack has heightened tensions further, with Hezbollah regularly exchanging cross-border fire with Israeli forces in a conflict that has simmered for almost a year. Hezbollah’s communication network, considered a vital component of its operations, was reportedly compromised, leading to the detonations.
One of the high-profile casualties of the explosions is Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, who was injured during the attack, as reported by Iran’s Mehr news agency. The incident further underscores the deepening involvement of regional powers in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.
With reports of simultaneous explosions in various parts of the country, hospitals are overwhelmed by the influx of injured individuals. Medical teams are working tirelessly, and there have been numerous public calls for blood donations, especially in areas hardest hit by the explosions.
According to Al Jazeera, the devices were allegedly hacked and detonated in a highly coordinated strike, signaling a significant technological escalation in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. This development is likely to have far-reaching consequences in an already volatile region, as both sides brace for further escalations in violence.
As Lebanon reels from the devastating attack, questions are emerging about what this breach means for the ongoing conflict. Hezbollah’s communication infrastructure has long been a key part of its ability to wage war, and this attack not only underscores the vulnerabilities in their systems but also signals a new phase in the hostilities with Israel. It remains to be seen how Hezbollah will respond to this unprecedented breach, but the group has promised retaliation, raising the stakes for both sides in this prolonged and bloody conflict.