A second series of explosions involving hand-held devices rocked Lebanon on Wednesday, claiming at least 20 lives and injuring hundreds more. This came just a day after a similar attack killed 12 individuals and wounded thousands, targeting Hezbollah members.
The blasts have heightened concerns of an escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, especially following Israeli statements indicating a readiness to intensify actions against the Iranian-backed group. Both Hezbollah and Iran swiftly accused Israel of orchestrating Tuesday's attack, a claim corroborated by U.S. officials, though Israel has not confirmed or denied involvement.
As Lebanese hospitals grapple with the influx of casualties, both Israel and Lebanon brace for anticipated retaliation from Hezbollah and its allies. Here’s what you need to know about the situation and its implications.
What Occurred?
On Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., pagers used by numerous Hezbollah fighters began beeping with what appeared to be a message from the group's leadership, shortly before they exploded—targeting locations such as grocery stores and sidewalks. Lebanese officials reported that among the 12 fatalities were several Hezbollah fighters and a young girl, with over 2,700 injuries, including Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon. In Syria, at least 14 were reported injured.
Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the incident as “criminal Israeli aggression,” deeming it a violation of Lebanese sovereignty. Just over 24 hours later, new explosions occurred, including one that disrupted a funeral for victims of the previous day's attack.
How Did the Devices Function?
Officials ruled out malfunctions, suggesting the pagers were tampered with before being issued to Hezbollah members. Reports indicate that tiny explosives were concealed inside Taiwanese-branded pagers imported to Lebanon, with the explosives capable of being remotely detonated.
The Taiwanese company linked to the devices, Gold Apollo, distanced itself from the incident, claiming another manufacturer was responsible for the specific model used in the attacks.
Why Were Pagers and Radios Used?
Hezbollah reportedly ordered over 3,000 pagers for its members, opting for them to reduce the risk of interception. However, this shift from cellphones to pagers left the group vulnerable to attacks of this nature, as it diminished their communication capabilities.
Despite suffering casualties, Hezbollah has historically shown resilience and adaptability following losses, having emerged stronger after previous conflicts.
What’s Next?
In response to the attacks, Hezbollah quickly blamed Israel and vowed retaliation, raising fears of an escalating conflict. The group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, is expected to address the situation soon.
As tensions mount along the Israel-Lebanon border, cross-border skirmishes have intensified since Hamas's attacks on Israel. Observers note that the blasts have embarrassed Hezbollah, but the military balance has not drastically shifted.
While both Hezbollah and Hamas are backed by Iran, it remains uncertain how these developments will affect the ongoing conflict in Gaza. U.S. officials have stated they were not involved in the recent attacks and emphasized the importance of avoiding further escalation in the region.
