More than a thousand Hezbollah members, including fighters and medics, sustained serious injuries today when their communication pagers exploded, Reuters reported.
The incident, described by a Hezbollah official as the “biggest security breach” in nearly a year of conflict with Israel, has sparked widespread panic and confusion.
The explosions occurred amidst ongoing violence between Hezbollah and Israel, which has intensified since the outbreak of the Gaza war last October. The situation remains fluid, with reports of further detonations in southern Lebanon and the capital, Beirut.
There has been no immediate response from the Israeli military regarding the explosions.
A Reuters journalist reported ambulances racing through the southern suburbs of Beirut, with widespread panic gripping the area. Residents noted that explosions continued even 30 minutes after the initial blasts, with devices also detonating in southern Lebanon.
Groups of people gathered outside buildings, checking on those who might have been injured. Regional CCTV footage showed small handheld devices exploding in various locations, including a grocery store and a market.
Lebanon’s crisis operations center, managed by the health ministry, has urged all medical personnel to report to hospitals to handle the influx of wounded. The center has advised healthcare workers to refrain from using pagers to avoid further incidents.
Hezbollah’s missile attacks on Israel began shortly after the October 7 Hamas assaults, with both sides exchanging fire while trying to avoid a full-scale escalation. The ongoing conflict has displaced tens of thousands from towns and villages on both sides of the border.
