At least nine people, including an eight-year-old girl, were killed, and approximately 2,750 others were wounded in a series of pager explosions across Lebanon. The injured, many of whom are in critical condition, suffered injuries to their faces, hands, and stomachs, according to Lebanon’s health minister, Firass Abiad. Hospitals are overwhelmed, with urgent calls for blood donations amid widespread panic.
Hezbollah blamed Israel for the coordinated attacks, claiming that it would exact “fair punishment” in response. The group described the incident as the largest security breach it has faced since the war on Gaza began. Hezbollah members were reportedly using pagers after being advised against smartphones due to security vulnerabilities.
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The explosions occurred almost simultaneously in southern Lebanon, the east of the country, and Beirut’s southern suburbs, heightening tensions across the region. Local reports indicated widespread panic as images of wounded individuals circulated online, showing the immediate aftermath of the blasts.
The United States denied any involvement in the explosions and stated it was gathering more information about the incident. Meanwhile, Israel remained silent, offering no comment on the pager blasts despite ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces along the border.
Experts speculated that the pagers may have been tampered with before distribution, raising concerns about infiltration and the vulnerability of Hezbollah’s communication systems. The incident is viewed as a major blow to the group’s security infrastructure, further escalating the already volatile situation in the region.
