Hezbollah promises retaliation against Israel following pager explosions throughout Lebanon.

BEIRUT, (News Buzz USA) – Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate against Israel after accusing it of orchestrating pager explosions across Lebanon on Tuesday, which resulted in nine fatalities and nearly 3,000 injuries, including those of fighters and Iran's envoy to Beirut. Lebanese Information Minister Ziad Makary condemned the late-afternoon blasts, targeting handheld devices used by Hezbollah and others for communication, as an "Israeli aggression." Hezbollah has promised that Israel will face "it's fair punishment" for the attacks.

People gather outside American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) as more than 1,000 people, including Hezbollah fighters and medics, were wounded when the pagers they use to communicate exploded across Lebanon, according to a security source, in Beirut, Lebanon September 17, 2024

The Israeli military, engaged in ongoing cross-border clashes with Hezbollah since the beginning of the Gaza war in October, declined to comment on the explosions. The Lebanese health ministry reported an increase in the death toll from eight to nine, with the number of injured remaining at 2,750. Hezbollah confirmed that among the deceased were at least two of its fighters and a young girl.

FOR MORE  NEWS: CLICK HARE

The explosions occurred in southern Lebanon, the Dahiyeh suburbs of Beirut, and the eastern Bekaa Valley—all areas known for Hezbollah's presence. Surveillance footage showed one of the devices detonating in a grocery store. A Hezbollah official described the incident as the "biggest security breach" for the group in nearly a year of conflict with Israel.

The New York Times reported that Israel had hidden explosive materials in Taiwan-made Gold Apollo pagers before they were shipped to Lebanon. The material was concealed next to the battery and could be remotely triggered. The Palestinian militant group Hamas condemned the blasts as an "escalation" that would lead to Israel's "failure and defeat."

UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert described the attack as an "extremely concerning escalation" in the conflict. The U.S. has stated it was not involved and called for a diplomatic resolution while urging Iran and its allies not to exploit the situation for further instability.

In response to the explosions, an Israeli military spokesperson mentioned that Major General Herzi Halevi had met with senior officers to review the situation, though no policy changes were announced. Hezbollah fighters, using pagers to avoid Israeli tracking, were notably affected by the explosions. 

Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, reportedly suffered a "superficial injury" and is under hospital observation. Casualties included Hezbollah fighters and prominent figures, including the son of a Hezbollah parliament member. Air France announced it would suspend flights between Paris, Beirut, and Tel Aviv due to security concerns.

Earlier, Israel’s domestic security agency claimed to have thwarted a Hezbollah plot to assassinate a former senior defense official. Despite the escalating violence, experts remain skeptical about an imminent full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah. 

After the explosions, ambulances rushed to the scene amidst widespread panic. At Mount Lebanon Hospital, individuals with severe injuries were reported, while the Nabatieh public hospital treated approximately 40 wounded people.

Hezbollah has suffered over 400 fighter casualties due to Israeli strikes in the past year, including the loss of top commander Fuad Shukr in July. Thousands have been displaced on both sides of the border, and Israel has added the return of citizens to their homes near the border to its formal war objectives.

An ambulance arrives at a hospital as more than 1,000 people, including Hezbollah fighters and medics, were wounded on Tuesday when the pagers they use to communicate exploded across Lebanon, according to a security source, in Beirut, Lebanon September 17, 2024