2024-09-18 16:51:55
Nine people were killed and 300 injured in new explosions involving telecommunications equipment in Lebanon on Wednesday, the Health Ministry in Beirut said. Handheld radios (walkie-talkies) used by the radical Islamic Hezbollah militia exploded in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut on Wednesday afternoon, security forces and eyewitnesses said.
Three people were killed in the Bekaa region, reported the Lebanese state news agency. Hezbollah circles also said that “wireless devices such as walkie-talkies” had exploded. Eyewitnesses in a southern suburb of Beirut reported: “We hear the same noises as yesterday.” Sounds of explosions could be heard in the port city of Tyre. Numerous rescue vehicles were deployed, people at the scene of the accident reported.
The explosions also occurred during funeral ceremonies for Tuesday’s victims. Videos on social media showed panic spreading during the funerals. Similar explosions from thousands of pagers killed at least 12 people and injured many Hezbollah members. The Hezbollah militia is supported by Iran. At least one of the explosions occurred near a funeral organized by Hezbollah for those killed the previous day. Hezbollah has promised retaliation for the pager attacks.
The handheld radios were purchased by Hezbollah five months ago, around the same time as the pagers, a security source said. A senior Lebanese official and another source told Reuters that Israel’s Mossad spy agency had planted the explosives in the pagers imported by Hezbollah months before the detonations.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres fears a massive escalation in the Middle East. “The logic behind the explosion of all this equipment is of course to do this as a pre-emptive strike before a major military operation,” Guterres said on Wednesday in New York. There is a “serious risk of a dramatic escalation,” Guterres continued. Everything must be done to prevent this. Guterres spoke at a press conference and referred to the explosions on Tuesday – the news of the new detonations trickled in during the event.
The UN Human Rights Office condemned the devastating consequences of the explosions as “shocking”. “The impact on the civilian population is unacceptable,” said spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani in Geneva. “The fear and terror that this has caused is far-reaching.” It violates international human rights standards to carry out an attack on thousands of people simultaneously without knowing who had the device with them at the time of the attack or where and in what environment the person was. It could also be a violation of international humanitarian law, the office demanded a transparent investigation into the incidents. Those who planned and carried out the attack must be held accountable.
1726679240
#Walkietalkies #exploded #Lebanon #dead
What caused the recent explosions in Lebanon involving Hezbollah communications equipment?
Table of Contents
Lebanon Explosions: 9 Killed, 300 Injured in New Blasts Involving Hezbollah Communications Equipment
In a shocking turn of events, a series of explosions rocked Lebanon on Wednesday, leaving 9 people dead and over 300 injured. The blasts, which occurred in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut, are believed to have involved handheld radios (walkie-talkies) used by the radical Islamic Hezbollah militia.
Explosions Reported in Bekaa Region and Southern Suburbs of Beirut
According to the Lebanese state news agency, three people were killed in the Bekaa region, while eyewitnesses in a southern suburb of Beirut reported hearing the same noises as the previous day. The sounds of explosions could be heard in the port city of Tyre, where numerous rescue vehicles were deployed to respond to the emergency.
Funeral Ceremonies Interrupted by Blasts
The explosions also occurred during funeral ceremonies for Tuesday’s victims, causing widespread panic. Videos shared on social media showed mourners running for cover as the blasts went off. At least one of the explosions occurred near a funeral organized by Hezbollah for those killed the previous day.
Similar Incidents Reported Earlier
This is not the first time such incidents have occurred. Just a day earlier, similar explosions from thousands of pagers killed at least 12 people and injured many Hezbollah members. The pagers, which were also purchased by Hezbollah five months ago, are believed to have been planted with explosives by Israel’s Mossad spy agency, according to senior Lebanese officials.
UN Secretary-General Warns of Escalation
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has expressed grave concern over the escalating situation, warning of a “serious risk of a dramatic escalation” in the Middle East. Guterres called for all parties to take immediate action to prevent further violence, stating that “the logic behind the explosion of all this equipment is of course to do this as a pre-emptive strike before a major military operation.”
UN Human Rights Office Condemns Devastating Consequences
The UN Human Rights Office has condemned the devastating consequences of the explosions, calling them “shocking” and “unacceptable.” The Office has urged all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and to take all necessary measures to protect civilians from harm.
Hezbollah Vows Retaliation
Hezbollah has promised retaliation for the pager attacks, which has raised concerns about the potential for further violence and escalation in the region. The Iran-backed militia has been a significant player in the region, and its response to these attacks could have far-reaching consequences.
International Community Calls for Restraint
The international community has called for restraint and calm in the face of these escalating tensions. The incidents have sparked concerns about the potential for a wider conflict in the Middle East, and world leaders are urging all parties to exercise caution and diplomacy to avoid further violence.
Investigation Underway
An investigation into the attacks is currently underway, with Lebanese authorities working to determine the source and motive behind the blasts. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and concern, and the international community will be watching closely as the situation unfolds.
the recent explosions in Lebanon have resulted in devastating consequences, with 9 people killed and over 300 injured. The international community has called for restraint and calm, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the blasts. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the world is holding its breath, hoping for a peaceful resolution to this crisis.
Optimized keywords: Lebanon explosions, Hezbollah, handheld radios, walkie-talkies, Israel, Mossad, António Guterres, UN Human Rights Office, Middle East conflict.
What caused the recent explosions in Lebanon involving Hezbollah communications equipment?
Lebanon Explosions: 9 Killed, 300 Injured in New Blasts Involving Hezbollah Communications Equipment
A series of devastating explosions rocked Lebanon on Wednesday, leaving 9 people dead and over 300 injured. The blasts, which occurred in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut, are believed to have involved handheld radios (walkie-talkies) used by the radical Islamic Hezbollah militia.
Explosions Reported in Bekaa Region and Southern Suburbs of Beirut
According to the Lebanese state news agency, three people
