Lebanon has recently had a number of tragic explosions involving handheld pagers used by Hezbollah members. The blasts have killed at least 32 people and injured over 3,000 across Lebanon and Syria. These devices, which were thought to be wired with explosives, detonated in nearly simultaneous attacks. Lebanese authorities blame Israel for putting the explosives, probably during the production process, though Israel has not formally acknowledged responsibility.
The attacks have had a huge impact on Hezbollah, as some of the victims are families of high-ranking officials. The number of casualties overloaded hospitals across Lebanon, prompting the declaration of an emergency. The blasts are viewed as a highly sophisticated attack, potentially signaling a new phase in the Israel-Hezbollah war, with worries of escalation into broader regional conflict.
The explosives began with handheld pagers, which Hezbollah has traditionally used for secure communications, exploding all around Lebanon. Initial investigations imply that the gadgets were filled with explosives, maybe during manufacturing, and then detonated remotely. The attacks left scores dead and thousands injured, many of whom suffered severe injuries such as burns, missing limbs, and gaping wounds.
Lebanon’s hospitals have been runaway, with emergency beds set up outside hospitals in southern Beirut and elsewhere. Hezbollah members and their relatives were among the casualties, with many injured operatives taken to Syria for treatment. The terrorist attacks sent shockwaves across the country, prompting requests for blood donations as the dead toll continues to grow.
While pagers may appear to be outdated technology, Hezbollah relies on them to avoid the risks connected with mobile phones, which are easily tracked by Israel. The militant group has long used pagers for secure communication, but this technique appears to have failed.
