Lebanon has been rocked by a series of explosions. These pager blasts have injured over 2000 people, including Hezbollah fighters and healthcare workers. The Iranian ambassador Mojtaba Amani is among the injured, according to Iran's Mehr News Agency. It is reported that the pager that caused the ambassador's injuries was with his security guard. So far, eight casualties have been confirmed.
Lebanon reported that hundreds of Hezbollah fighters were seriously injured this afternoon. Although there is no information on the fatalities at the moment, it is said that the pagers these fighters used for communication exploded simultaneously.
Multiple Blasts Occur One After Another
These serial blasts occurred in various locations, including southern Lebanon and the capital, Beirut, marking the biggest intelligence failure in Hezbollah's history. The blasts took place at approximately 3:45 PM local time, causing chaos for an hour.
What Did Hezbollah Say About the Blasts?
Hezbollah issued a statement suggesting Israeli involvement in the blasts. They confirmed the death of eight people, including a girl, and claimed blasts in Syria resulting in seven deaths. Some media reports suggest that 100-150 people were injured, including the Iranian ambassador. Global media outlet Associated Press reports that the blasts were likely caused by the overheating of lithium batteries in the pagers.
Horrific Images Emerging from Hospitals
Images shared on social media and by the Lebanese and Israeli media show injured people lying on the ground, bloodstains visible, with many people unconscious. Hospitals are reportedly crowded following the blasts, with images showing chaotic scenes and people with injuries to their heads, limbs, and other body parts.
Who is Responsible for the Blasts? No Clues Yet
No group has claimed responsibility for the pager blasts in Lebanon so far. Speculation suggests that Israel might have initiated these blasts through hacking. Israel has not commented on the matter. These suspicions arise due to recent allegations against Israel, such as the death of Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyah in Iran and attacks on Hezbollah commanders in Lebanon.
