Fourteen people have been killed and over 300 injured in a series of explosions involving walkie-talkies and pagers at Hezbollah strongholds throughout Lebanon. The blasts, which occurred a day after similar incidents involving pagers, have sparked intense regional tensions and accusations.
The explosions, which took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, have been linked to walkie-talkies purchased approximately five months ago. The blasts occurred in several locations, including southern Lebanon and Beirut’s suburbs. Reports indicate that the devices, along with some landline telephones, exploded simultaneously. The impact of these blasts was compounded by one occurring near a Hezbollah funeral for a member killed in the previous day’s pager explosions.
Accusations and Escalations
Hezbollah has accused Israel’s Mossad of orchestrating the attacks, claiming that explosives were planted inside the devices before their importation. This claim adds to the already volatile situation, which has seen increased hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. Iran-backed Hezbollah retaliated by attacking Israeli artillery positions with rockets, marking an escalation in the ongoing conflict.
In response, Israel has moved additional troops to its northern front and warned against further escalation. The United States has also cautioned both sides against intensifying the conflict. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has labeled the explosions as a major security breach and vowed retaliation. The group has also reaffirmed its support for Hamas in Gaza, which is engaged in a prolonged conflict with Israel.
Device Origins and Reactions
The origins of the devices have come under scrutiny. Initial reports suggested that the pagers were manufactured by a Taiwanese company, but this has been denied. The company, Gold Apollo, clarified that the devices were made under a license by a Budapest-based firm, BAC.
Lebanon’s Health Minister, Firass Abiad, reported that the previous day’s pager explosions resulted in twelve deaths and approximately 2,800 injuries, many of which were severe. Iran’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was also injured in the incident.
Hezbollah’s Stance and Israel’s Response
Hezbollah has condemned the attacks as a “massacre” and accused Israel of “criminal aggression.” The group has promised to continue its support for Hamas and warned of further actions in response to the attacks. Israel, meanwhile, has not officially commented on the specific claims but has indicated a broader focus on its conflict with Hamas and its allies, including Hezbollah.
Sources By Agencies
