* The explosions started almost simultaneously, around 3.30pm local time on Tuesday and continued for around an hour.
* The cause of the explosions in the hand-held pagers, which Hezbollah uses to communicate, is not yet known.
* There have also been reports of explosions in Hezbollah members’ pagers in Syria, in which at least 14 people have been injured, according to the exile group SOHR.
* Among those who lost their lives was the eight-year-old daughter of a Hezbollah member, as well as several Hezbollah members. Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon was injured, according to Iranian media.
* Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes the explosions as “a dangerous and deliberate Israeli escalation” which coincides with threats to escalate the war against Lebanon.
* Israel announced earlier on Tuesday that its goals in the Gaza war now also include the fight against Hezbollah along the border with Lebanon.
* The Israeli military has so far declined to comment on the claims about the explosions.
* Hezbollah initially described the explosions as a mystery, but in a later statement they also accused Israel of being behind it and promised retaliation.
* Eyewitnesses described panic and chaos in the capital Beirut, where health services were overwhelmed by victims of the explosions.
* The pagers that exploded were, according to a Hezbollah source AP spoke to, of a completely new type. They were acquired after the group’s leader ordered that members stop using mobile phones – for fear that they could be tracked by Israeli intelligence.
* Hezbollah is said to have bought the pagers from the Taiwanese company Gold Apollo. The company said on Wednesday that the pagers were manufactured by a company in Budapest that had rights to use their trademark.
* Prior to the explosions, the pagers were heated in the pockets and hands of those who carried them.
* Many of the victims appear to be Hezbollah members, and most of the explosions occurred in areas where the movement is strong, particularly Beirut’s southern suburbs and the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon there, according to AP’s sources in Lebanon.
* The several hundred explosions, however, had a very wide impact – since they were triggered wherever the wearer of the pager was.
* The explosions occur at a time of increased tension between Lebanon and Israel. Hezbollah and Israel have attacked each other almost daily for over eleven months since the outbreak of the Gaza war against Hamas, which is allied with Hezbollah and is also supported by Iran.
* Experts tell AP that the explosions may be the result of a sophisticated, long-planned operation, possibly through infiltration of the supply chain, where the pagers may have been rigged with explosives before being imported into Lebanon.
Source: AFP, AP, Reuters, DPA
#explosions #Lebanon
2024-09-18 23:33:47
What triggered the mysterious explosions of Hezbollah pagers in Lebanon and Syria?
Table of Contents
Mysterious Explosions Rock Hezbollah Pagers, Killing and Injuring Dozens in Lebanon and Syria
A series of mysterious explosions rocked Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday, targeting the hand-held pagers used by Hezbollah members to communicate. The blasts, which occurred almost simultaneously around 3:30 pm local time, continued for approximately an hour, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in their wake.
Cause of Explosions Unknown, but Fingers Point to Israel
The exact cause of the explosions remains unknown, but Hezbollah has accused Israel of being behind the attacks. Earlier on Tuesday, Israel had announced that its goals in the Gaza war now include fighting Hezbollah along the border with Lebanon, fueling speculation about the involvement of the Israeli military. However, the Israeli military has declined to comment on the claims.
Multiple Casualties and Injuries Reported
The explosions resulted in multiple casualties and injuries, with at least one eight-year-old girl, the daughter of a Hezbollah member, losing her life. Several Hezbollah members were also killed in the blasts, while Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon was injured, according to Iranian media. In Syria, at least 14 people were injured, according to the exile group SOHR.
Lebanon Condemns “Dangerous and Deliberate Israeli Escalation”
Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described the explosions as “a dangerous and deliberate Israeli escalation” that coincides with threats to escalate the war against Lebanon. The ministry’s statement reflects the sense of outrage and concern in Lebanon and the broader region.
Hezbollah Vows Retaliation
Initially, Hezbollah described the explosions as a mystery, but in a later statement, the group accused Israel of being behind the attacks and promised retaliation. The incident has raised tensions in the region, with the potential for further violence and instability.
Eyewitnesses Describe Panic and Chaos
Eyewitnesses in Beirut described scenes of panic and chaos, as health services were overwhelmed by victims of the explosions. The scale of the attacks was unprecedented, with hundreds of pagers exploding simultaneously, causing widespread destruction and disruption.
New Type of Pager Involved
The pagers that exploded were of a completely new type, acquired by Hezbollah after its leader ordered members to stop using mobile phones for fear of being tracked by Israeli intelligence. The pagers were reportedly bought from the Taiwanese company Gold Apollo, which stated that the devices were manufactured by a company in Budapest that had rights to use their trademark.
Prior to Explosions, Pagers Heated in Pockets and Hands
Prior to the explosions, the pagers were heated in the pockets and hands of those who carried them, suggesting that some sort of triggering mechanism may have been used to initiate the blasts.
Wide Impact Felt
The explosions had a very wide impact, with hundreds of pagers exploding wherever the wearer happened to be. The attacks targeted areas where Hezbollah is strong, particularly Beirut’s southern suburbs and the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon. However, the scale of the incident has raised concerns about the stability of the region as a whole.
Regional Tensions Escalate
The incident has further escalated tensions in the region, with the potential for further violence and instability. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the mysterious explosions of Hezbollah’s pagers have sent shockwaves throughout the Middle East, with far-reaching consequences for the region’s security and stability.
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What caused the explosions of Hezbollah pagers in Lebanon and Syria?
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What Triggered the Mysterious Explosions of Hezbollah Pagers in Lebanon and Syria?
A series of mysterious explosions rocked Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday, targeting the hand-held pagers used by Hezbollah members to communicate. The blasts, which occurred almost simultaneously
