9 dead, 2,800 injured in Lebanon blasts; Hezbollah blames Israel.
A series of explosions rocked Lebanon, lasting for about an hour following the initial detonations around 3:45 p.m. local time. The precise method of how the devices were triggered remains unclear. The blasts, which resulted in the deaths of nine people and injuries to approximately 2,800 others, have sparked widespread confusion and concern. While investigations are ongoing, Hezbollah has placed blame on Israel for the devastating explosions. The severity of the damage and the widespread nature of the blasts have prompted international attention, with authorities working to uncover the exact causes behind the tragic events.
A wave of pager explosions rocked Lebanon on Tuesday, killing at least nine people and injuring around 2,800 others, including Hezbollah fighters and medics, according to security sources and Lebanon’s Health Minister, Firass Abiad. The blasts, which occurred across the country, have been labeled by the Lebanese government as an “Israeli aggression,” with Hezbollah also accusing Israel of orchestrating the attacks.
The explosions occurred around 3:45 p.m. The exact method used to detonate the devices is still under investigation, but it is believed that wireless communication pagers, which Hezbollah had been using for internal communication, were the source of the blasts. These pagers were reportedly a new model introduced by Hezbollah in recent months. Security sources confirmed that many of those injured included high-ranking Hezbollah fighters, some of whom are the sons of prominent officials within the armed group.
Lebanon’s Information Minister, Ziad Makary, condemned the incident, describing it as a “dangerous and deliberate Israeli escalation” and accusing Israel of expanding its war efforts towards Lebanon. Hezbollah echoed this sentiment, vowing that Israel would receive “its fair punishment.” A Hezbollah official, speaking anonymously, claimed that this was the “biggest security breach” the group had faced
Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran, confirmed in a statement that at least three people, including two of its fighters, had died in the explosions. The third casualty was identified as a girl. The group added that an investigation was underway to determine the full extent of the damage and the causes of the blasts. Notably, Hezbollah’s chief, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, was confirmed to be unharmed by the explosions, according to the group’s statement.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has been intensifying since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October, marking one of the most severe escalations in cross-border warfare between the two sides in recent years. Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, has been involved in multiple skirmishes with Israeli forces along the shared border, and Tuesday’s explosions are seen as part of this ongoing conflict.
Lebanese internal security forces reported that numerous wireless communication devices detonated across Lebanon, with a significant concentration in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold. The explosions caused widespread chaos and panic, especially in areas dominated by Hezbollah supporters. Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was among those injured in the blasts, though reports indicate his injuries were superficial. He is currently under observation in a hospital, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency.
One of the Hezbollah fighters killed in the explosions was identified as the son of Ali Ammar, a Hezbollah member of the Lebanese parliament, adding a particularly personal blow to the group. The situation has drawn attention from international observers, as the growing violence between Israel and Hezbollah threatens to destabilize Lebanon further.
The Lebanese Foreign Ministry described the explosions as a major escalation by Israel, accusing the country of making deliberate moves to widen the scope of its military actions to include Lebanon. While Israel has not officially commented on the pager explosions, tensions remain high as both sides continue to engage in a protracted and deadly conflict.
In a parallel development, in neighboring Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 14 people were injured after pagers used by Hezbollah also exploded. Hezbollah maintains a strong presence in Syria, where it has supported President Bashar al-Assad’s forces in the country’s civil war. These explosions in Syria further underscore the widespread reach of the conflict.
Earlier on the same day, Israel announced its intention to expand the objectives of its war effort, which had been primarily focused on Hamas, to include Hezbollah. Israel has been engaged in a military campaign against Hamas since October, following the deadly October 7 attacks by Palestinian militants, which sparked the latest Gaza conflict. The escalation with Hezbollah, another long-standing enemy of Israel, raises concerns about the potential for a broader regional war.
In a separate incident, Israel’s domestic security agency, Shin Bet, revealed that it had thwarted an alleged Hezbollah plot to assassinate a former senior Israeli defense official. According to Shin Bet, the agency had seized an explosive device linked to a remote detonation system that Hezbollah had planned to activate from Lebanon. The details of the targeted official were not disclosed, but the agency’s statement indicated that the plot was uncovered just days before it was set to be carried out.
As the situation continues to unfold, the threat of further escalation between Israel and Hezbollah looms large, with both sides exchanging accusations and preparing for potential retaliatory actions. The death toll from the pager explosions, combined with the high number of injuries, has sent shockwaves through Lebanon and increased fears of further violence in the already volatile region.