Hezbollah has pledged retaliation following a series of deadly explosions caused by pagers linked to its members, which occurred nearly simultaneously and exposed significant security lapses.
The blasts, which took place on Tuesday, September 17, resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries across Lebanon.
Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad confirmed that at least nine people, including a child, were killed and around 2,800 were injured, with 170 in critical condition.
The explosions have heightened tensions in the Middle East, already strained by Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
CNN has reported that the explosions were orchestrated through a coordinated effort between Israel’s Mossad and the Israeli military.
While the Israeli military has declined to comment, both Lebanon and Hezbollah have accused Israel of carrying out the attack. Iran has also condemned the incident, labeling it “Israeli terrorism.”
The New York Times revealed that the explosives were concealed in pagers from Taiwanese manufacturer Gold Apollo, intended for Hezbollah. These devices were reportedly equipped with remote-detonation switches.
Gold Apollo’s founder stated that the pagers involved were manufactured by a European distributor.
Videos and images from the scene show severe damage and casualties, including one footage from a supermarket where an explosion caused severe injury to a shopper.
Hezbollah has vowed retaliation, describing the attack as “criminal” and pledging further action against Israel. Iran’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was among those injured in the explosions, though his injuries are reported as minor.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati has condemned the attack as a grave violation of Lebanese sovereignty.
The Israeli military has advised civilians to remain vigilant but has not altered its public safety guidelines.
The explosions affected various locations, notably Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut and the Beqaa Valley.
Reports indicate that the pagers were rigged with explosives and detonated remotely.
Eyewitnesses have reported seeing extensive damage and numerous injuries.
Gold Apollo’s Hsu Ching-kuang revealed that the pagers were supplied through a European distributor and emphasized that Taiwan has no record of these devices being shipped to Lebanon.
Lebanese officials have advised the public to dispose of pagers and have called for heightened vigilance and medical readiness in response to the ongoing crisis.
