The Associated Press reported injuries in several locations in Lebanon, including among Hezbollah fighters in Syria. The total number of casualties remains unclear.
Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that Ambassador Amani suffered minor injuries from one of the explosions and is under medical observation. Mehr News Agency confirmed the injuries and linked them to the pager explosion.
Photos and videos shared on social media show injured people lying on the ground with visible wounds on their hands and near their pockets, where they were carrying pagers.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had previously warned his members against carrying mobile phones, suggesting they could be used for tracking and targeted attacks.
In response to the incident, Lebanon’s Health Ministry ordered hospitals to prepare for an influx of emergency patients and advised the population to stay away from pagers. Health workers were also asked to avoid using wireless devices to prevent further explosions.
Hospitals in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley and Beirut’s southern suburbs – areas known for Hezbollah presence – are overwhelmed by casualties. The National News Agency has launched an urgent appeal for blood donations as medical centres are struggling to cope.
Hezbollah officials have described the incident as a “security operation” orchestrated by Israeli forces, noting that the pagers involved contained lithium batteries, known to be at risk of overheating and causing explosions.
This attack comes amid escalating tensions between Lebanon and Israel. Hezbollah and Israeli forces have been engaged in frequent clashes over the past 11 months, further exacerbated by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. These hostilities have resulted in numerous casualties and widespread displacement on both sides of the border.
First published: September 17, 2024 10:04 PM IS
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