Nine killed in Lebanon pager explosions in alleged Israeli attack
Pager blasts kill nine in Lebanon; Hezbollah blames Israeli aggression
Nine people lost their lives and 2,800 others, including Hezbollah fighters, medics, and Iran’s envoy to Beirut, sustained injuries on Tuesday when their communication pagers exploded throughout Lebanon. Security sources and the Lebanese health minister reported the incident.
Lebanon’s Information Minister, Ziad Makary, condemned the pager detonations, labelling them as “Israeli aggression.” Hezbollah also accused Israel of causing the blasts and vowed that Israel would face “fair punishment.”
A Hezbollah official, speaking anonymously, described the pager explosions as the “biggest security breach” the group has encountered in nearly a year of conflict with Israel. Since the Gaza war began last October, Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah have engaged in intense cross-border warfare, marking the worst escalation in years.
Lebanon security says the pagers who killed 9, including children were imported 5 months ago and implanted with 20 grams of explosive
this means it was premeditated and pre-planned by Israel
American Uni Beirut Medical Centre replaced pagers of doctors/staff 2 weeks ago pic.twitter.com/uDMdLEL9jH
— Dominic Helou 🇸🇾🇨🇭🇱🇧 ☭ (@dohelu) September 18, 2024
Hezbollah confirmed the deaths of at least three individuals, including two of its fighters and a young girl. The group stated that an investigation into the blasts’ causes was ongoing. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was unharmed in the explosions.
Sources confirmed to ABC News that Israel was responsible for the explosion of pagers across Lebanon on Tuesday that killed 12 and injured thousands. @martharaddatz reports. https://t.co/cR2kKCWkq5 pic.twitter.com/l7wjt6xHRB
— Good Morning America (@GMA) September 18, 2024
The series of blasts lasted around an hour after the initial detonations at approximately 3:45 pm local time. The exact method of detonation remains unclear.
The Lebanese foreign ministry described the explosions as a “dangerous and deliberate Israeli escalation,” noting that they were “accompanied by Israeli threats to expand the war towards Lebanon on a large scale.”
What Other Media Are Saying
- CNN reports on pager explosions in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, leading to thousands injured, with Hezbollah blaming Israel, and Israeli forces refusing to comment, highlighting a technological gulf and escalating tensions. (Read more)
- ABC News reports dozens wounded in Lebanon after simultaneous pager explosions, with Hezbollah and Iran officials blaming Israel for the sophisticated attack amid rising tensions.
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Key points:
– **Simultaneous Pager Explosions**: Hundreds of handheld pagers exploded in Lebanon and Syria, injuring dozens, including Hezbollah members and Iran’s ambassador, Mojtaba Amani.
– **Blame on Israel**: Hezbollah officials pointed to Israel as the perpetrator, citing advanced technology used in the attack.
– **Injuries and Casualties**: At least 150 people, including Hezbollah members, were wounded, with some in serious condition.
– **Lithium Battery Theory**: The explosions were attributed to lithium batteries overheating and causing fires.
– **Tensions between Lebanon and Israel**: The incident occurred during heightened tensions between Lebanon and Israel, with ongoing clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.—
The article emphasizes the sophisticated nature of the attack and the escalating tensions between Lebanon and Israel. It highlights the injuries sustained by Hezbollah members and other civilians, as well as the use of advanced technology in the pager explosions. The focus on lithium battery overheating provides a plausible explanation for the blasts, underscoring the potential for such incidents in modern devices. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What caused the explosions in Lebanon?
The explosions were caused by the detonation of pagers used for communication.
How many people were killed and injured in the explosions?
At least nine were killed and 2,800 were wounded.
Who is being blamed for the pager explosions in Lebanon?
Hezbollah and the Lebanese government blamed Israel for the explosions.
Was Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah injured in the explosions?
No, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was not hurt in the explosions.
How long did the wave of explosions last?
The wave of explosions lasted around an hour.
