Hundreds of paging devices used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon, killing at least nine people, including a child, and injuring 2,800 others. The blasts delivered a significant blow to the militant group, which accused Israel, its longtime adversary, of orchestrating the attack.
Hezbollah had been increasingly concerned about the security of its communications following the loss of several key commanders in recent Israeli strikes. The incident has further heightened tensions between the group and Israel, with Hezbollah vowing to retaliate.
Sources have confirmed that the explosions of paging devices across Lebanon were the result of a joint operation between Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, and the Israeli military. While the Israeli military has declined to comment on the incident, both Lebanon and Hezbollah have accused Israel of orchestrating the attack.
Iran also condemned the explosions, labeling them as “Israeli terrorism,” further escalating tensions in the region. The blasts are seen as a significant blow to Hezbollah, which had already been grappling with concerns over the security of its communications following the recent loss of several key commanders in Israeli strikes.
Earlier on Tuesday, Israel announced it was expanding its military objectives to secure the northern front with Lebanon as part of its ongoing offensive against Hamas. This comes after Hamas’ October 7 attack, during which Palestinian fighters took scores of Israeli hostages, prompting Israel to pledge to bring them home and dismantle Hamas.
Since the onset of the conflict, Hamas’ ally Hezbollah has engaged in almost daily skirmishes with Israeli forces along the Lebanon-Israel border. Though not officially declared a war, the clashes have led to significant casualties, with hundreds killed in Lebanon, mostly Hezbollah fighters, and dozens, including soldiers, on the Israeli side.
The conflict on both fronts has escalated regional tensions, with Israel now focusing on securing its northern border as well
