Hundreds More Injured Following Massive Explosion Tied to Hezbollah Equipment
BEIRUT – On Wednesday, hundreds of individuals were injured in a series of blasts linked to handheld radios utilized by Hezbollah, escalating tensions with Israel just one day after a separate round of explosions involving the group’s pagers.
The state news agency reported that three fatalities occurred in the Bekaa region, with many casualties suffering from severe abdominal and hand injuries, according to security sources.
Detonations were reported in various locations throughout southern Lebanon and in the southern suburbs of Beirut, as confirmed by witnesses.
One explosion coincided with a funeral organized by Hezbollah for the victims of the previous day’s pager explosions, which had inflicted injuries on numerous group members.
Following the pager attacks, Hezbollah announced it had retaliated by targeting Israeli artillery positions with rockets, marking its first response to these incidents as the situation raises concerns over a potential broader conflict in the Middle East.
Reportedly, the handheld radios had been procured by Hezbollah approximately five months prior, alongside the acquisition of the pagers.
It has been alleged by a senior security source that Israeli intelligence placed explosives within the pagers imported by Hezbollah prior to the recent blasts.
The casualties from Tuesday’s explosions rose to 12, including two children, as stated by Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad, with nearly 3,000 people injured, many of whom were Hezbollah fighters and other officials.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the exploding pagers.
In a related statement, a pager manufacturer refuted claims that it produced the faulty devices, indicating that the pagers were licensed to a Budapest-based company.
Hezbollah’s Response
It remains unclear when Hezbollah executed its latest rocket attacks; the group typically announces such actions shortly after they occur, implying that they targeted Israeli artillery positions on Wednesday.
Hezbollah has expressed its intent to retaliate against Israel, although Israeli military officials have chosen not to comment on the recent explosions. Tensions have been heightened due to ongoing cross-border hostilities since the resurgence of conflict in Gaza last October, raising fears of a wider regional conflict involving multiple nations.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister has criticized Israel for exacerbating regional tensions, suggesting that actions are pushing the Middle East closer to war.
Experts indicate that while Hezbollah is keen to avoid a full-scale conflict, the extensive impact on civilians may compel the group to respond more assertively to these provocations.
In a recent statement, Hezbollah affirmed its commitment to support Hamas in Gaza and warned that Israel should anticipate a response to what they have termed a “massacre” resulting in severe bodily harm and fatalities among their ranks.
A Hezbollah official characterized the recent incident as a significant security breach for the organization.
Graphic footage from hospitals depicted severe injuries, including face trauma and amputations consistent with the placements of the pagers at the time of detonation.
The orchestrated attacks appear to have been in development over several months, linked to previous assassinations of key Hezbollah and Hamas figures attributed to Israeli operations since hostilities began to escalate in Gaza.
