Explosions rocked several areas of Lebanon on Tuesday as pagers belonging to Hizbollah members detonated, resulting in at least eight fatalities and more than 2,700 injuries. The attacks appeared to target the low-tech communication systems used by the militant group to avoid Israeli surveillance and assassination attempts.
Hizbollah, supported by Iran, accused Israel of carrying out the “criminal attack” and vowed that the perpetrators would face consequences. Israel did not comment on the incident, but the clash is expected to escalate tensions between the two adversaries.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held emergency meetings with top security officials in Tel Aviv following the blasts. The explosions caused significant casualties, including eight deaths and over 2,750 injuries.
Despite speculation, the US denied involvement in the attacks and expressed concern about potential escalation in the region. Lebanon issued a urgent call to healthcare workers as hospitals quickly filled up with injured individuals.
Recent clashes between Israel and Hizbollah have led to casualties on both sides. Hizbollah’s leader instructed fighters to use low-tech communication methods to evade surveillance, but this did not prevent the assassination of a senior commander earlier this year.
Israel recently thwarted a Hizbollah plot targeting a former senior official, prompting concerns about the intensifying conflict. The Israeli security cabinet expanded its campaign in Gaza to address security threats posed by Hizbollah in the north, potentially escalating the situation.
Additional reporting by Neri Zilber in Tel Aviv, Andrew England in London and Steff Chávez in Washington
