In a tragic turn of events, Lebanon witnessed a series of devastating explosions on Tuesday when pagers used by Hezbollah, the armed group, detonated almost simultaneously across the nation. The explosions resulted in at least nine fatalities and left approximately 2,800 individuals injured, many critically.
The Incident: A timeline of chaos
The explosions erupted around 15:45 local time in Beirut and several other regions. Witnesses described scenes reminiscent of fireworks and gunshots as smoke billowed from pockets, leading to small but powerful blasts. One CCTV clip captured a shocking moment when a pager exploded in a man’s pocket as he stood at a shop counter. The violent chain of events persisted for about an hour, sowing confusion and panic as hospitals across Lebanon were inundated with casualties.
Theories and speculations
The scale and sophistication of the attack have left analysts stunned. While Hezbollah has accused Israel, Israeli officials have remained silent. Some experts suggest a potential hack may have triggered the pagers’ batteries to overheat, though evidence contradicts this theory. Instead, a supply chain attack, involving tampering during manufacturing or transit, seems more plausible. Such attacks are rare and imply a massive covert operation, possibly involving military-grade explosives triggered by alphanumeric messages.
Victims and casualties
Among the victims were two sons of Hezbollah MPs and a daughter of a member, reported a source to AFP. Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, sustained minor injuries, while Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah remained unharmed. Lebanese Public Health Minister Firass Abiad noted that injuries predominantly affected the face and hands, with some cases of amputation. He remarked, “The vast majority of people presenting to emergency rooms are civilians, making it difficult to determine affiliations.”
The tragedy extended beyond Lebanon’s borders, with 14 individuals injured in similar blasts in Syria, as reported by the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. As investigations continue, the world watches closely, seeking answers to what appears to be a highly orchestrated assault on Lebanese soil.