Iran's ambassador to Beirut is reportedly among a huge number of people maimed or killed after thousands of pocket pagers detonated simultaneously.
Eight people were killed and 3,000 others injured in Lebanon on Tuesday when their pagers exploded, local media reported. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said hundreds of its members were affected by the incident, which it blames on Israel. West Jerusalem has not commented.
Those affected were reportedly concentrated mainly in the southern suburbs of the capital Beirut, an area considered a Hezbollah stronghold, as well as in the east and south of the country. More than 2,800 people were injured in the blasts, which killed eight people, including a child, the Al Manar media reported, citing Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad.
Abiad confirmed the number of injured across the country. His ministry also put hospitals on alert and told them to be ready to respond to health emergencies, Al Manar said. All health specialists were also asked to “Go to your workplaces,” The digital media outlet Naharnet reported the following.
According to Iran's Mehr news agency, Iran's ambassador to Beirut, Mojtaba Amani, was also injured in the pager explosion. The diplomat, who reportedly suffered minor injuries, was hospitalized. Two other embassy staff members are believed to have been affected by the series of explosions.
Photos and videos of people across Lebanon seeing their pagers explode in their pockets and hands have appeared on social media. Some videos also show injured people receiving treatment in a hospital.
Videos showing some of the injuries to Hezbollah members as a result of the explosion of wireless communication devices known as Pagers or Beepers in the hands of their owners. image.twitter.com/M2L3ges3if
— LBCI News from Lebanon (@LBCI_NEWS) September 17, 2024
Hezbollah described the incidents as “The biggest security breach” Within a year, the group had stopped using smartphones and started using pagers in its communications after the conflict between West Jerusalem and Gaza erupted last year, due to concerns that Israel could hack the devices.
The militant group and the Israeli military have been exchanging attacks for nearly a year, as Hezbollah supports the Gaza-based Hamas militant group in their conflict. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has also struck targets in Lebanon, killing several senior Hezbollah operatives, including Fuad Shukr, who was hit in an airstrike in Beirut in late July.
READ MORE:
Israeli Defense Chief: “Time is running out” to reach deal with Hezbollah
Israeli officials have reportedly threatened Hezbollah with a devastating military response in the event of further escalation. Iran threatened Israel with “a destructive war” if it attacks Lebanon. Hezbollah issued a stark warning last week, warning that an all-out war would lead to “Big losses on both sides” more refugees now.
You can share this story on social media:
