Lebanon Rocked by Wireless Device Blasts Following Israeli Warning to Hezbollah

Lebanon Rocked by Wireless Device Blasts Following Israeli Warning to Hezbollah

Edited by: TJVNews.com

On Tuesday afternoon, Lebanon was rocked by a wave of simultaneous explosions that occurred across the country. According to a statement by the Lebanese Health Ministry, a large number of “wireless devices” detonated unexpectedly, leaving thousands  injured. The incident took place a day after Israel hinted that it might intensify its military actions against Hezbollah, further heightening tensions in the region.

More than 2,700 Hezbollah terrorists were wounded and at least eight were killed across Lebanon on Tuesday when their communication devices exploded, Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad confirmed.

UPDATE 

Preliminary reports suggest that the pagers involved in the explosions across Lebanon were identified as Gold Apollo AP900 or AR924 models, based on markings found on the debris of the devices.

The exact method used to carry out this operation remains unclear. One theory is that the pagers were tampered with or hacked before being distributed to Hezbollah members.

However, a Lebanese official, speaking anonymously to the Associated Press, suggested that the explosions may have been triggered by the lithium batteries inside the pagers. These batteries, which can overheat and catch fire, may have been compromised by malware that caused them to overheat and explode.

Another possibility is that the devices detonated after receiving a mass-distributed message, causing widespread blasts.

The explosions have left nearly 2,800 people injured and caused several fatalities. Among the victims was a 10-year-old girl, Fatima Jafar Abdullah, who died when a pager exploded in her parents’ home in the village of Saraain, as reported by Lebanese media.

Iranian media sources have stated that Iranian Ambassador Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded in the explosions that occurred in Beirut, with his family members also sustaining injuries.

Al Jazeera journalists have reported that the cyberattack was allegedly supported by U.S. specialists. Local news outlets have further shared accounts from hospital staff, where American specialists were employed. According to these staff members, the American specialists discarded all their pagers, which they had been using to communicate with local doctors, a few days before the incident.

Additionally, it has been reported that the son of a Hezbollah parliament member was killed when a walkie-talkie exploded.

The explosions, which primarily affected devices believed to be used by Hezbollah members, have sent shockwaves through the country. Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed terrorist proxy based in Lebanon, has been embroiled in a long-standing conflict with Israel. Although the specifics of the devices involved are still under investigation, Lebanese officials have confirmed that the majority of the affected individuals were members or affiliates of Hezbollah.

Officially formed in the 1980s, Hezbollah is known for its strong resistance against Israeli military incursions. Over the years, Hezbollah has built a powerful military presence in Lebanon, making it one of the most formidable non-state actors in the Middle East.

The NYT report indicated that in recent years, Hezbollah’s leadership has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to the Palestinian cause, further entangling it in regional conflicts. Its involvement in the Syrian civil war, alongside Iranian forces, has further complicated its standing both within Lebanon and in the broader geopolitical landscape.

Despite being labeled a terrorist organization by several Western governments, Hezbollah enjoys substantial support among Lebanon’s Shia population. This base of support, along with its military power, allows it to act with significant autonomy within Lebanon, often independent of the Lebanese government.

The nature of the explosions has raised significant concerns and speculation. A Lebanese intelligence official, who requested anonymity, revealed to The New York Times that the detonations were triggered by the simultaneous explosion of communication devices, specifically pagers, used by Hezbollah operatives. Pagers, which have become somewhat obsolete in much of the world, still play a crucial role in Hezbollah’s internal communications, allowing its operatives to coordinate activities discreetly.

The widespread use of these devices among Hezbollah members, combined with the coordinated timing of the explosions, has led to speculation that this was no mere accident. Many are suggesting the possibility of external interference, though no official claims of responsibility have been made. The NYT report indicated that the fact that the Israeli military declined to comment on the incident further fuels the growing suspicion of its involvement. However, without concrete evidence, it remains unclear whether Israel was directly responsible for this unprecedented event.

The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that the explosions have caused injuries to hundreds of people, many of whom have been rushed to hospitals across the country. As per the NYT report, Health Minister Firass Abiad stated that the authorities are still working to determine the exact number of those affected, although the toll appears significant.

Hospitals, particularly in the capital Beirut, southern, and eastern regions of Lebanon, have been overwhelmed with patients. The Lebanese Red Cross responded quickly, dispatching 80 ambulances to the affected areas. These ambulances were sent to multiple locations where “multiple bombings” were reported. However, the report in the NYT noted that despite these initial efforts, the full extent of the medical crisis is still unfolding, and Lebanese authorities are advising civilians to avoid handling any wireless devices until more is known about the cause of the explosions.

These explosions come against the backdrop of a simmering 11-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The conflict started last October when Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israeli territory in support of Hamas, another Iranian-backed terror proxy based in the Gaza Strip. Since then, both sides have engaged in periodic exchanges of missiles and rockets, resulting in mounting casualties on both sides. The NYT reported that despite the severity of the conflict, it has largely been confined to these aerial exchanges, with leaders on both sides warning that the conflict could soon escalate to ground-based warfare.

Tuesday’s explosion, while not a traditional military strike, represents a significant development in this ongoing conflict. It raises concerns that Hezbollah’s infrastructure, particularly its internal communication networks, is vulnerable to external disruption. If the explosions were indeed the result of an Israeli cyber or electronic warfare tactic, it would mark a major shift in the types of warfare tactics being deployed in this conflict.

As tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue to rise, the possibility of the conflict spilling over into a full-scale war becomes ever more likely, as was suggested in the NYT report. Leaders from both sides have issued warnings in recent months, suggesting that their patience is wearing thin. Israeli leaders, in particular, have expressed frustration over Hezbollah’s continued military provocations and have hinted at the possibility of expanded military operations.

If these explosions were indeed caused by an Israeli strike or electronic warfare operation, it would signal a major escalation in tactics, as well as an increasing willingness on Israel’s part to directly target Hezbollah’s infrastructure.

In the wake of the explosions, Lebanese officials have called for calm and restraint. Minister Firass Abiad, while overseeing the medical response, urged Lebanese citizens to remain vigilant and to refrain from using wireless devices until more information is available, the NYT report added.

International bodies, including the United Nations, have expressed concern over the incident and have called on both Israel and Hezbollah to prevent further escalation. The UN has been involved in peacekeeping efforts in southern Lebanon for decades, seeking to maintain a fragile ceasefire between the two sides. However, given the current trajectory of the conflict, it remains unclear whether diplomacy will be enough to prevent a larger war.