AFPTV footage captured people running for cover during an explosion at a funeral for Hezbollah militants in southern Beirut. These attacks followed Tuesday’s unprecedented explosion of paging devices, which killed 12 people, including two children, and injured nearly 2,800 others across the country.
Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the attacks, though there has been no official response from Israel. Just hours before Tuesday’s blasts, Israel announced that it was expanding its military objectives in the Gaza war to include fighting Hezbollah, a key ally of Hamas.
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Hezbollah declared that Israel was “fully responsible for this criminal aggression” and vowed retaliation while continuing to support Hamas in the ongoing Gaza conflict. Cross-border clashes with Israeli forces have been ongoing, with Hezbollah warning of further “reckoning” for what they have called a “massacre.”
Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib condemned the attacks as a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and warned that this escalation could lead to a broader regional war.Hospitals in Hezbollah-controlled areas have been overwhelmed by casualties. Dr. Joelle Khadra, working at a Beirut hospital, described the injuries as “mainly to the eyes and hands, with finger amputations and shrapnel wounds.” Another doctor, speaking anonymously, described the injuries as unprecedented.Experts believe that Israeli operatives may have sabotaged the pagers before delivery to Hezbollah, likely planting explosives within the devices. Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute suggested that these were “small plastic explosives” remotely detonated.
The attack has dealt a heavy blow to Hezbollah, which has already lost several key commanders in recent airstrikes. The group is also grappling with concerns over the security of its communication systems.
Iranian officials, including Tehran’s ambassador to Beirut Mojataba Amani, who was injured in the attack, condemned the violence. Amani described the incident as a “horrific terrorist crime,” expressing solidarity with the Lebanese victims.
As tensions rise, airlines such as Lufthansa and Air France have suspended flights to Tel Aviv, Tehran, and Beirut, citing safety concerns. The United Nations and international rights groups have called the attacks shocking, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urging governments to avoid weaponizing civilian objects.
The continuing clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah have already resulted in hundreds of deaths and displacement of tens of thousands of civilians. The region remains on high alert, with fears of further escalation.
(With inputs from Reuters)
