A wave of coordinated explosions rocked Lebanon on Tuesday, targeting Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group. The explosions, which occurred simultaneously across the country, involved encrypted communication devices that detonated, leaving hundreds injured and at least three dead. Initial reports suggest that over 1,000 Hezbollah members were wounded, marking a severe blow to the group’s operations.
The explosions have sent shockwaves through Lebanon and the wider region, raising concerns about a potential escalation of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. The two groups have been involved in a series of cross-border incidents in recent months, including the killing of a top Hezbollah commander in an Israeli airstrike in July.
Hezbollah has reportedly instructed all its militants to discard their pagers immediately, fearing further attacks. The devices that exploded were obtained by Hezbollah in recent months, according to security sources.
Videos circulating on social media show the aftermath of the explosions, with Hezbollah members suffering severe injuries, including the loss of limbs. Hospitals across Lebanon have reportedly been overwhelmed with casualties.
The incident also affected key political allies of Hezbollah, including Mojtaba Amani, Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, who was injured when his pager exploded. This underscores the extensive reach and impact of the attack, targeting not only Hezbollah’s military operations but also its political network.
The Israeli Defense Forces have yet to respond to the incident. However, the attack comes on the heels of Israel’s recent strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in the Beqaa district earlier this month.
Despite the escalating tensions in the Middle East, financial markets have shown limited reaction to the incident. Oil prices rose only marginally on Tuesday, while the Israeli shekel remained stable against the dollar. Investors appear to be adopting a wait-and-see approach as they assess the full implications of this unprecedented attack on Hezbollah.
The explosions highlight the volatile situation in the Middle East and the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. As the region grapples with the aftermath of the attack, it remains unclear what further repercussions might unfold and how the situation will ultimately evolve.
