On Wednesday evening, hand-held radios, or walkie-talkies, used by Hezbollah exploded across southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs. This incident followed the previous day’s detonation of thousands of pagers belonging to the Iran-backed group. More than 100 individuals were injured in the wave of walkie-talkie blasts, according to government reports.
The explosions coincided with a funeral for Hezbollah members killed the day before. The pager detonations claimed at least 12 lives, including two children, and injured nearly 3,000 people, stated Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad. In response, Hezbollah launched a rocket attack on Israeli artillery positions in southern Lebanon, marking its first direct strike on Israel since the pager explosions.
The pager explosions, which targeted Hezbollah members and reportedly injured Iran’s envoy to Beirut, are suspected to have been orchestrated by Israel’s Mossad spy agency. Lebanese security sources indicated that explosives were planted inside pagers imported by Hezbollah months prior. Israel has not commented on the incident.
Mossad is unstoppable. 100s of fresh explosions being reported across Lebanon, 24 hours after over 4000 pagers exploded killing 12 and injuring over 3000 Hezbollah terrorists. Fresh explosions are now taking place in hand-held Walkie-Talkie VHF sets used by Hezbollah terrorists. pic.twitter.com/imqVQGdjhZ
— Baba Banaras™ (@RealBababanaras) September 18, 2024
Hospital videos showed injured Hezbollah fighters and civilians, many with facial wounds, missing fingers, and severe injuries around their hips, where pagers were likely worn. Gold Apollo, a Taiwanese company accused of manufacturing the compromised pagers, denied responsibility. They claimed the devices were produced under license by a company in Budapest, Hungary.
The pager explosions have further heightened tensions in a region already fraught with escalating cross-border skirmishes between Hezbollah and Israel. These clashes have intensified since the Gaza conflict began last October, raising fears of a broader Middle East conflict involving the United States and Iran.
Hezbollah, Iran’s most powerful proxy in the region, has reaffirmed its support for Hamas in Gaza. In a statement, the group warned Israel to expect further retaliation for the “massacre” caused by the pager explosions.
Pagers, small wireless communication devices popular before mobile phones, allow users to receive short messages or alerts, typically in the form of a phone number to call back or a brief text message. These devices, which became widespread in the 1980s and 1990s, operate through radio frequencies.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Al Jazeera reports on explosions in Lebanon, with at least 32 fatalities and 3,000 injured, sparking controversy over potential war laws violations and escalating regional tensions. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What caused the walkie-talkie explosions in Lebanon?
The walkie-talkie explosions were part of a series of blasts targeting Hezbollah, following earlier pager detonations.
How many people were injured in the pager explosions in Lebanon?
The pager explosions injured nearly 3,000 people, according to the Lebanese health minister.
Who is believed to be behind the pager explosions in Lebanon?
The pager explosions are believed to have been orchestrated by Israel’s Mossad spy agency.
How did Hezbollah respond to the pager explosions?
Hezbollah launched a rocket attack on Israeli artillery positions in southern Lebanon.
What is a pager?
A pager is a small, wireless device used to receive short messages or alerts via radio frequencies.
