Byline: Beirut, Lebanon At least eight people, including several members of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, have been killed and approximately 2,750 others wounded following a series of explosions involving communication pagers across Lebanon on Tuesday. The blasts struck Beirut’s suburbs and other regions, according to Lebanon’s Health Minister Firass Abiad.
Incident Overview
The explosions, which have been described by a Hezbollah official as the “biggest security breach” in nearly a year of ongoing conflict with Israel, have caused widespread panic and confusion. Hezbollah has accused Israel of orchestrating the attacks, promising “appropriate retaliation.”
The violence comes amid escalating tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, which have intensified since the outbreak of the Gaza war last October. Reports indicate that further detonations have occurred in southern Lebanon and Beirut, with the situation remaining highly volatile.
Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was reported injured in one of the explosions, according to Iran’s Mehr news agency.
Immediate Impact and Response
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and fear as ambulances rushed through the southern suburbs of Beirut. Regional CCTV footage showed small handheld devices exploding in various locations, including a grocery store and a market. Residents and emergency responders scrambled to check on those who might have been injured, as the explosions continued intermittently even 30 minutes after the initial blasts.
Lebanon’s crisis operations center, managed by the health ministry, has issued an urgent call for all medical personnel to report to hospitals to manage the large influx of wounded. The injuries reported include severe trauma to the face, eyes, and limbs. The center has advised healthcare workers to avoid using pagers to prevent further incidents.
Hezbollah and Israel’s Ongoing Conflict
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has been marked by a series of missile exchanges since the escalation following Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel. Both sides have been engaged in sporadic combat, seeking to avoid a full-scale war. The ongoing violence has displaced tens of thousands of residents from communities on both sides of the border.
As of now, there has been no immediate response from the Israeli military regarding the recent explosions. Hezbollah has initiated an investigation into the incidents to determine their causes and to prevent future occurrences.
This latest escalation adds to the already dire humanitarian situation in the region, highlighting the urgent need for de-escalation and diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing conflict.
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