A series of pager explosions across Lebanon and parts of Syria on Tuesday (September 17) resulted in at least nine deaths and over 2,800 injuries, according to Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad. Of the injured, at least 170 are in critical condition. The victims included members of the militant group Hezbollah and a young girl. The Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was also superficially wounded in the incident.
The handheld pagers, used by Hezbollah, reportedly heated up before exploding. Two members of the group were killed, and many others were injured. The explosions occurred in areas where Hezbollah has a strong presence, including southern Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs.
The incident represents a significant security breach for Hezbollah, and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the explosions.
Lebanese officials have pointed the finger at Israel for what appears to be a sophisticated, remote attack. However, the Israeli military has declined to comment.
The explosions have led to a state of emergency in the affected areas, with hospitals calling for blood donations to treat the injured. The Lebanese Health Ministry has also urged citizens to stay away from wireless communication devices until the cause of the explosions is determined.
The explosions occurred a day after Israel announced a new war objective, fueling fears of a new military offensive in Lebanon.
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