Explosions from Hezbollah pagers kill 9 in Lebanon and Syria

Explosions from pagers used by Hezbollah militants rocked Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday, killing at least nine people, including an 8-year-old girl, and injuring thousands, Lebanese officials said. Hezbollah and the Lebanese government accused Israel of orchestrating a coordinated remote attack.

As AP reports, U.S. officials confirmed Israel briefed them about the operation after its conclusion. The explosions are believed to have been caused by small amounts of explosives hidden in the pagers, detonated remotely. Israeli military officials declined to comment on the incident.

The blasts occurred amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which have been exchanging fire across the Israel-Lebanon border following Hamas’s Oct. 7 assault on Israel. Among those injured in the explosions was Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, highlighting the regional implications of the escalating conflict.

According to Lebanese security officials, the explosions occurred primarily in Hezbollah-controlled areas, including a southern Beirut suburb, the Beqaa region in eastern Lebanon, and Damascus. Video footage showed bloodied streets and panicked bystanders, as victims were rushed to hospitals with severe injuries, including missing limbs and damaged faces.

Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad reported nine deaths and more than 2,750 injured, with 200 in critical condition. Most injuries were to the face, hands, and abdomen. Hezbollah confirmed the deaths of several members, including the son of a Hezbollah parliament member.

Hezbollah accused Israel of targeting civilians, stating that Israel "will get its just punishment" for the attack. Israeli officials have not confirmed their involvement, but experts suggest the operation involved infiltrating the supply chain of the pagers, which were ordered after Hezbollah leadership banned cellphone use due to security concerns.

Tuesday’s explosions are likely to increase Hezbollah's fears about vulnerabilities in their communication systems. Israel has previously conducted similar operations targeting militants and their communication devices. This incident marks an escalation in the already volatile Israel-Hezbollah conflict, which has displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border.

U.N. special coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert condemned the attack, warning of an "extremely concerning escalation" in the region. Israel's Defense Minister stated that stopping Hezbollah's attacks in the north has become a priority as the conflict with the Iran-backed group threatens to intensify further.

[Information sourced from AP]