Second Wave of Explosions Rocks Lebanon, Hezbollah Members Targeted
A catastrophic series of hand-held radio explosions targeted Hezbollah members across Lebanon on Wednesday, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and over 450 injuries. This marks the second consecutive day of coordinated attacks against Hezbollah, following Tuesday’s deadly pager explosions, which killed 12 and injured 2,700.
Hezbollah, supported by Iran, has attributed the initial attacks to Israel, which allegedly concealed miniature explosives in Taiwanese-made pagers. The Israeli military has neither confirmed nor denied involvement and did not immediately comment on the latest incidents. Israeli officials, however, signaled a shift towards more aggressive measures to counter Hezbollah’s presence near Israel’s northern frontier.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has escalated since October 7, following Hezbollah’s missile and drone assaults launched in solidarity with Hamas against Israel. The ongoing skirmishes have strained efforts to stave off a full-scale war. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant mentioned a strategic shift to focus more resources on the northern front, although he did not directly address the blasts.
The Lebanese Telecommunications Ministry condemned the explosive attacks, pointing to criminal intent and accusing Israel. Fires erupted in Hezbollah strongholds, including the Beirut suburbs and Bekaa Valley. Analyzing available evidence, The New York Times identified the detonation devices as IC-V82 two-way radios from the Japanese brand ICOM.
Following the attacks, the Lebanese Red Cross deployed 30 ambulance teams to various sites. At least 60 homes and businesses were set ablaze, crowding hospitals in southern Lebanon with casualties.
Allied with Hamas, Hezbollah has vowed continued resistance until Israel halts its Gaza operations. The situation has displaced over 160,000 people in both Lebanon and Israel. As tensions rise, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured that northern residents would eventually return home safely.
International reactions included condemnation from Jordan and assurances from U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken that the U.S. had no prior knowledge of the pager attacks. The United Nations Security Council plans to hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the escalating violence.
Original Story https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/18/world/middleeast/lebanon-explosions-radios.html
Category : Lebanon,Hezbollah,Hamas,Israel,Israel-Gaza War (2023- ),Deaths (Fatalities),International Relations,Defense and Military Forces,Terrorism,Funerals and Memorials,Bombs and Explosives,Blinken, Antony J,Gallant, Yoav,Netanyahu, Benjamin,Security Council (UN)
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