Eight Killed, Thousands Wounded in Lebanon After Pagers Explode as Israel Targets Hezbollah

At least eight people were killed and 2,750 injured in Lebanon on Tuesday after pagers exploded in various locations across the country, according to Lebanon’s health minister.

Among the injured includes Iran’s ambassador in Beirut, in a spree of simultaneous detonations of pagers across Lebanon.

The incident occurred shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu stated that Israel’s war objectives now include ensuring the “safe return of the residents of the north to their homes,” following cross-border clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the blasts.

Lebanon’s Information Minister Ziad Makary described the detonation of the pagers as an “Israeli aggression,” condemning the act.

Hezbollah also accused Israel of being behind the pager blasts and warned that it would face “its fair punishment.”

Hezbollah confirmed in a statement that at least three people had been killed, including two of its fighters and a girl.

The group added that an investigation was underway to determine the causes of the blasts. Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was reported to be unharmed by the explosions.

The series of explosions continued for about an hour following the initial detonations, which occurred around 3:45 p.m. local time (1345 GMT). The method of detonation for the devices was not immediately clear.

Lebanon’s crisis operations centre, managed by the health ministry, called on all medical personnel to report to their hospitals to manage the influx of wounded patients requiring urgent care.

The centre advised healthcare workers to refrain from using pagers.

The Lebanese Red Cross reported that over 50 ambulances and 300 emergency medical staff were mobilized to assist with the evacuation of victims.

War Monitor Reports 14 Wounded in Syria Following Hezbollah Pager Explosions

Fourteen people were injured in Syria on Tuesday after pagers used by Hezbollah exploded, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

This adds to the growing toll of at least eight dead and 2,750 wounded in neighbouring Lebanon.

The monitor noted that the nationalities of those injured in Damascus and its surrounding areas are still unknown.

A source close to Hezbollah confirmed to AFP that some of its members were among the wounded, though the exact number remains unspecified.

UN Expresses Concern Over Lebanon’s Escalating Situation Amid ‘Extremely Volatile’ Context

The United Nations has voiced deep concern over the recent developments in Lebanon, particularly given the “extremely volatile” situation, according to Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Speaking on Tuesday, Dujarric emphasized the UN’s distress over civilian casualties and urged all parties to exercise restraint amid the escalating tensions.