Following the series of explosions that rocked Lebanon, including the detonation of pagers belonging to Hezbollah members, more explosions involving various handheld devices have occurred, resulting in at least 14 fatalities and 450 injuries.
Reports of simultaneous blasts in Beirut’s southern suburbs and the city of Tyre surfaced on Wednesday, with images circulating on social media depicting the aftermath of the explosions.
Where in Lebanon did the new explosions happen?
While information is still being gathered, reports indicate that explosions occurred in the southern suburbs of Beirut and Tyre on Wednesday afternoon. Images of vehicles on fire and smoke rising from residential areas were shared online.
Journalist Ali Hashem witnessed an explosion during a funeral in southern Lebanon, suggesting that the blast originated from within a car rather than external interference.
Chaos ensued in the streets as ambulances rushed to the scene to assist the injured, with reports of additional explosions causing panic.
What exploded?
Various handheld devices, including walkie-talkie radios, mobile phones, laptops, and even solar energy systems, were reported to have exploded.
What are the walkie-talkie radios that exploded?
The exploded devices are identified as IC-V82 walkie-talkie radios manufactured by the Japanese company ICOM, known for their extended range compared to regular walkie-talkies.
How do you make walkie-talkie radios explode?
The exact cause of the explosions remains unclear, with speculation suggesting similarities to the earlier pager explosions. There are concerns about battery-related issues triggering the blasts.
Hezbollah and Lebanese authorities have attributed the explosions to Israel, although Israel has not responded to the accusations.
Why would Israel carry out the blasts?
The motivation behind Israel’s alleged involvement in the explosions remains uncertain, but the incidents mark a significant escalation in tensions between Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon.
How big of a blow is this to Hezbollah?
The explosions pose a major security breach for Hezbollah, raising questions about the group’s operational capacity and public image.
Hezbollah’s communications infrastructure appears to be still functional, with contingency measures in place to maintain secure communication channels.
What’s next?
The attacks have instilled fear in Lebanon, with concerns mounting over potential further escalations. Israel’s strategy of creating confusion and chaos has generated speculation about future actions.
