In a synchronized explosion of pagers belonging to Hezbollah members, nine people were killed and more than 2,800 injured in Lebanon. Among the dead are the 10-year-old daughter of a Hezbollah member and the sons of Hezbollah lawmakers Ali Ammar and Hassan Fadlallah. The blasts occurred around 3:30 pm local time and affected several Hezbollah strongholds across Lebanon. Iran’s state media reported that its Ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was also wounded.
Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the explosions, calling it the “biggest security breach” it has faced. The group claims the detonations were part of an Israeli attack on their communications network, while other reports suggest potential causes such as the overheating of lithium batteries due to an electronic signal breach or explosives placed inside the pagers.
The Lebanese Health Minister confirmed the death toll and the number of wounded, noting that over 200 were critically injured. Injuries primarily affected the face, hands, and stomach. Additionally, explosions occurred outside Lebanon, with four people injured in Syria as at least one pager detonated in Damascus.
Hezbollah, which is banned as a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union, has been in daily exchanges of fire with Israel since the war in Gaza began in October 2023. The group is currently conducting investigations into the explosions, urging caution against misinformation. Israel has not yet responded to the accusations made by Hezbollah.
