Around 2,750 people were injured and nine were killed in Lebanon on Tuesday due to the detonation of wireless devices used by Hezbollah members. Hezbollah reported that two of its members died in the explosions, with the group accusing Israel for the attacks.
According to Iran’s Mehr news agency, Mojtaba Amani, the Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon, was also among the injured.
Hezbollah had told its members to stop using mobile phones and use their own communications system during the Gaza war to avoid Israeli spying. The Lebanese internal security forces reported that several wireless communication devices were exploded throughout the country, particularly in the southern suburbs of Beirut, which are known as a strong area for Hezbollah.
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Hezbollah terms detonation of pagers as ‘biggest security breach’
As per Reuters, a Hezbollah official stated that the explosion of the pagers was the ‘biggest security breach’ the group had faced in almost a year of conflict with Israel. According to two security sources quoted by Reuters, one of the fighters who died was the son of a Hezbollah member of the Lebanese parliament.
Hezbollah leadership claimed that Israel breached their communications, as reported by news agency AFP.
No immediate comment from Israeli military
The Israeli military did not provide any immediate comment.
Israel has been involved in cross-border fighting with Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, since the Gaza war broke out last October, marking the most severe escalation in years.
Iranian media broadcasted video footage from a grocery store depicting a small handheld device placed near a cashier exploding suddenly. In separate video, an explosion seemed to take down a person standing near a fruit stall in a market place.
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Hassan Wazni, who leads the Nabatieh public hospital in southern Lebanon, informed Reuters that approximately 40 injured individuals were currently receiving care at the hospital. He mentioned that the injuries consisted of wounds to the face, eyes, and limbs.
The series of blasts persisted for approximately one hour following the initial explosions, which occurred at roughly 3:45 p.m. local time (1345 GMT). It was unclear how the devices were detonated right away. The Lebanese internal security forces reported that numerous explosive wireless devices were set off throughout Lebanon, particularly in the southern suburbs of Beirut, resulting in injuries.
Over 50 ambulances, 300 emergency medical personnel sent by Lebanese Red Cross to evacuate victims
More than 50 ambulances and 300 emergency medical personnel were sent by the Lebanese Red Cross to help evacuate victims, as reported by the organization.
Hezbollah launched missiles at Israel right after Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on October 7th. Hezbollah and Israel have been continuously firing at each other, but have managed to prevent a significant escalation as the conflict in Gaza intensifies.
The hostilities have caused tens of thousands of people to be forced out of towns and villages on both sides of the border.
