A wave of explosions ripped through Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday, targeting electronic devices used by Hezbollah members. Hundreds of pagers and handheld radios detonated, leaving a trail of destruction and casualties. The attacks, which killed at least 21 people and injured hundreds more, are widely believed to be the work of Israel.
The explosions came amidst an escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has been raging since October 8th. The conflict began after a deadly Hamas-led assault in southern Israel triggered a war in Gaza. Since then, both sides have been engaged in a series of attacks, with Hezbollah launching strikes on Israel in support of its ally, Hamas.
On Wednesday, National Security communications advisor John Kirby categorically denied any U.S. involvement in the explosions. “We were not involved in [Tuesday’s] incidents or [Wednesday’s] in any way,” he stated. However, he declined to provide any further information about the attacks.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared that the war against Hezbollah had entered a new phase, emphasizing the need for courage and determination. While he didn’t specifically mention the exploding devices, he commended the work of the Israeli army and security agencies, highlighting their “impressive” results.
The attacks have raised serious concerns about the potential for the conflict to escalate into an all-out war. The explosions have heightened tensions in the region, with the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah reaching new levels of intensity. Hezbollah, in turn, retaliated by launching three strikes on parts of northern Israel, one of which occurred after the latest round of explosions in Lebanon.
The situation remains volatile and unpredictable, with the potential for further escalation. The international community is urging both sides to exercise restraint and seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
