Hezbollah bombings/ Israel attacks Lebanon/ walkie-talkie explosions Lebanon/ new phase of war Israel/ Newslooks/ Beirut/ Lebanon/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A second wave of explosions shook Lebanon on Wednesday, targeting walkie-talkies in Beirut and other areas just a day after Hezbollah members were killed by rigged pagers. The attacks, believed to be carried out by Israel, have raised fears of a larger conflict. Israel has declared a “new phase” in its war, signaling further military action against Hezbollah.
Explosions Hit Lebanon Again Amid War Escalation: Quick Looks
- Second Wave of Blasts: Walkie-talkies exploded across Lebanon, killing 20 and injuring over 450, one day after pagers exploded in a Hezbollah attack.
- Israel’s Response: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared a “new phase” in the war but did not comment on the devices, praising Israel’s military actions.
- Hezbollah’s Role: Hezbollah continues to exchange fire with Israel, signaling further escalation as Israeli troops mobilize at the border.
- Casualties: Hundreds have been killed in Lebanon and Israel, with fears rising that the conflict could expand.
Lebanon Hit by More Explosions as Israel Expands Military Campaign
Deep Look:
Lebanon faced another wave of explosions on Wednesday as rigged walkie-talkies detonated in Beirut and several other areas across the country. The blasts, which left 20 dead and more than 450 injured, followed a similar attack the previous day when explosive devices hidden in pagers killed 12 people and injured thousands. The bombings targeted members of Hezbollah, but civilians were among the casualties.
Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed militant group, has been involved in daily exchanges of fire with Israel since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted in Gaza in October 2023. Israel has been widely suspected of orchestrating the explosions, which have been met with anger and confusion throughout Lebanon.
The second wave of attacks intensified fears that the conflict could spiral into an all-out war. Speaking to Israeli troops on Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, “We are at the start of a new phase in the war,” signaling a shift in military strategy. Gallant did not address the explosions directly, but he praised the work of Israeli security agencies, calling the results “very impressive.”
In Lebanon, the explosions disrupted a funeral in Beirut for three Hezbollah members and a child killed in the previous day’s pager bombings. Associated Press journalists at the scene reported hearing multiple blasts during the ceremony. In the southern city of Sidon, explosions inside cars and mobile phone shops caused significant damage, and Lebanon’s state news agency reported incidents of home solar energy systems blowing up, although experts have suggested those may have been unrelated accidents.
The bombings have caused widespread casualties, with many victims being civilians unaffiliated with Hezbollah. The Health Ministry reported that doctors, nurses, and other non-combatants who used pagers in their work were among the injured and dead. Hezbollah has extensive civilian operations serving Lebanon’s Shiite population, making it difficult to ensure that only fighters were targeted.
The international community has expressed growing concern over the attacks. Mary Ellen O’Connell, a professor at the University of Notre Dame, noted that weaponizing civilian devices violates international law. “Booby traps like these are strictly prohibited,” she said. U.N. Human Rights Chief Volker Türk called for an independent investigation, describing the “fear and terror unleashed” as profound.
Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting on Friday to address the escalating situation in Lebanon. The meeting was called at the request of Algeria, representing the Arab nations on the council.
Hezbollah, Lebanon’s most powerful military force, has stated that its attacks on Israel are in support of Hamas, its ally in Gaza. On Wednesday, the group claimed responsibility for three strikes on northern Israel, further intensifying the conflict. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are now considering a broader military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Israel has begun moving additional troops to its border with Lebanon, with military leaders hinting at a possible major offensive. The country’s army chief, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, said preparations are underway for “additional action” against Hezbollah, but Israeli media reported that no final decision has been made on launching a large-scale invasion.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is expected to deliver a major speech on Thursday, likely addressing the escalations and the group’s ongoing fight against Israel.
The explosions targeting pagers and walkie-talkies appear to be part of a sophisticated operation. Analysts suggest that Israel may have infiltrated the supply chain and rigged the devices before they reached Hezbollah. So far, little evidence has emerged publicly to confirm how the operation was carried out.
Taiwanese company Gold Apollo, whose name appeared on the pagers, said it authorized a Hungary-based company, BAC Consulting KFT, to use its branding for the devices. However, a Hungarian government spokesperson denied that the pagers had ever been in Hungary, suggesting BAC Consultants was merely an intermediary. Hungary’s national security services are now cooperating with international authorities to investigate the case.
As tensions escalate, Lebanese civilians find themselves caught in the middle of a conflict that continues to claim lives on both sides of the border. In the Bekaa Valley village of Nabi Sheet, dozens gathered to mourn 9-year-old Fatima Abdullah, one of the victims of the pager explosions. Her family, grieving her loss, joined other mourners who have been devastated by the violence engulfing the region.
