A senior U.S. official confirmed that Israel is behind the explosions of pagers used by members of Hezbollah in Lebanon. The detonations occurred near-simultaneously and resulted in the deaths of at least 12 individuals, including two children, with nearly 3,000 others wounded. Additional explosions were heard during a funeral for Hezbollah members and a child killed in the previous day’s blasts. Hezbollah’s Al Manar TV reported explosions in multiple areas of Lebanon, which it attributed to walkie-talkies detonating.
The pagers that exploded were reported to have been made in Hungary, according to a Taiwanese company. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut issued a message following the explosions instructing U.S. citizens to exercise security awareness, maintain a low profile, and take measures to ensure their safety and security. The message also warned of limited availability of medical care in Lebanon, particularly in Beirut. Hezbollah claimed to have attacked Israeli artillery positions with rockets following the explosions.
An American official told the AP that Israel briefed the United States after the attacks on Tuesday, in which small amounts of explosives hidden in pagers were detonated. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States was not involved in the incidents and emphasized the importance of all parties avoiding actions that could escalate conflicts. The Israel Defense Forces announced that troops in its Northern Command were continuing offensive and defensive activities, including brigade-level exercises focusing on readiness for terrain in the north.
The explosions of Hezbollah pagers in Lebanon have heightened tensions in the region, with Israel being implicated as the party responsible for the attacks. The casualties and injuries resulting from the detonations have raised concerns about the safety and security of individuals in Lebanon, prompting the U.S. Embassy to issue a security message for American citizens. Hezbollah’s retaliatory actions against Israeli artillery positions have further escalated the situation, prompting calls for all parties to refrain from actions that could exacerbate conflicts.
As the situation in Lebanon remains volatile, the involvement of Israel in the explosions of Hezbollah pagers has been confirmed by U.S. officials. The explosions have led to widespread casualties and injuries, prompting concerns about limited availability of medical care and the overall security situation in the country. The retaliatory actions taken by Hezbollah against Israeli targets have further heightened tensions, underscoring the importance of all parties refraining from actions that could escalate conflicts in the region.
The United States has reiterated its stance on the importance of avoiding actions that could escalate conflicts and is closely monitoring the situation. The Israel Defense Forces continue to engage in offensive and defensive activities in the northern region, further adding to the tension in the area. The ongoing developments highlight the complex dynamics at play in the Middle East and the need for all parties to exercise restraint and work towards peaceful resolutions to avoid further escalation of conflicts.