Lebanon is grappling with a second wave of deadly explosions targeting Hezbollah operatives, just a day after a massive wave of pager explosions rocked the country. The latest round of explosions, occurring on Wednesday, struck multiple areas including Beirut’s southern suburbs and parts of southern Lebanon, igniting fires in homes and shops. Authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage, with reports of at least nine people killed and over 300 injured.
The initial wave of attacks on Tuesday crippled Hezbollah, with pagers used by the group’s members exploding almost simultaneously in public areas like grocery stores and cafes. Civilians and Hezbollah fighters were among the casualties.
While Israel has not officially commented, Hezbollah has blamed Tuesday’s attack on Israeli forces, vowing retaliation. The explosions represent a significant escalation in the ongoing shadow war between Hezbollah and Israel, which has intensified since the Gaza conflict began last October.
Lebanese authorities have condemned the attacks as violations of international law, with United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk calling for those responsible to be held accountable. An emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council is scheduled for Friday.
The U.S. State Department has stated they had no prior knowledge of the attacks. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have increased their presence along the Lebanese border in anticipation of potential Hezbollah retaliation. U.S. officials are closely monitoring the situation, as Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. is assessing the impact of the attack on ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
The attacks have sparked widespread fear and uncertainty in Lebanon, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation and the long-term implications for the country’s stability. The international community is closely watching the situation unfold, with calls for restraint and a de-escalation of tensions.
