Nine individuals lost their lives, and nearly 3,000 sustained injuries when pagers used by Hezbollah members, including fighters and medics, exploded simultaneously across Lebanon.
The explosions began around 3:30 p.m. in the southern suburbs of Beirut, known as Dahiyeh, and the eastern Bekaa valley, both Hezbollah strongholds. The detonations, which continued for about an hour, were still audible at 4:30 p.m.
Witnesses and residents reported hearing the blasts well after they started. Security footage reviewed showed some detonations occurred when pagers rang, prompting fighters to check their devices.
The blasts were relatively contained, based on footage reviewed. In clips from supermarket CCTV, the explosions injured the person wearing the pager or those nearby.
Hospital videos and social media posts showed individuals with facial injuries, missing fingers, and severe hip wounds. The explosions did not cause significant structural damage or fires.
Destroyed pagers reviewed bore stickers and formats consistent with those from Gold Apollo, a Taiwan-based manufacturer. Hezbollah did not respond to questions about the pagers.
🇱🇧 The U.S. State Dept says the U.S. was not involved in the pager explosions in Lebanon and was not aware of the incident beforehand.
In unrelated news, the American University of Beirut Medical Center replaced the pagers of their doctors and staff 2 weeks ago. pic.twitter.com/G5wwQ4tBlj
— Expat Vibes (@expatvibes) September 17, 2024
Sources indicated Hezbollah fighters believed pagers would help evade Israeli tracking. Three security sources mentioned the detonated pagers were the latest models acquired by Hezbollah.
Hezbollah announced a “security and scientific investigation” into the blasts, promising Israel would face consequences. Diplomatic and security sources speculated that battery overheating might have caused the explosions.
However, some suggested Israeli infiltration of the pager supply chain. Reports indicated Israel might have hidden explosives in the pagers. Experts doubted batteries alone could cause such blasts.
Paul Christensen, an expert in battery safety, and Ofodike Ezekoye, a mechanical engineering professor, both expressed scepticism about battery failure being the sole cause.
Israel just carried out something that will go down in history books.
Hezbollah leadership had switched to using pagers and flip phones so that they can’t be hacked, but Israel hacked thousands of them to explode which has resulted in hospitals in Lebanon being overwhelmed with… pic.twitter.com/mQWuQpQPr4— Yaakov Strasberg (@YaakovStras) September 17, 2024
Lebanon’s foreign ministry labelled the incident an “Israeli cyberattack” but did not elaborate. Lebanon’s information minister condemned it as an assault on national sovereignty.
Israel’s military did not comment, while the U.S. State Department stated it was gathering information and was not involved. The Pentagon reported no change in U.S. force posture in the region.
Analysts warned of potential escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, who have exchanged fire since the Israel-Hamas conflict began last October. However, experts were sceptical about an imminent all-out war, which the U.S. aims to prevent.
Matthew Levitt, a former U.S. Treasury intelligence official, noted the pager explosions could disrupt Hezbollah operations. Jonathan Panikoff, a former U.S. intelligence officer, mentioned the incident might be downplayed by Hezbollah but warned rising tensions could lead to full-scale conflict if diplomacy fails.
What Other Media Are Saying
- BBC News reports that hundreds of Hezbollah members were injured after handheld pagers exploded in Lebanon, sparking international tensions and accusations against Israel. (Read more)
- CNN reports on the recent pager explosions targeting Hezbollah members in Lebanon, causing thousands of injuries and killing at least nine people, raising concerns about Israel’s involvement and escalating Middle East tensions. (Read more)
- PBS NewsHour reports on deadly pager explosions in Lebanon and Syria, attributing the sophisticated attack to a likely state actor, with Israel and Hezbollah implicated in a complex operation. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
When and where did the pager blasts in Lebanon occur?
The blasts occurred around 3:30 p.m. in Beirut’s southern suburbs and the Bekaa valley.
How extensive was the damage from the pager explosions?
The explosions were relatively contained, injuring people but not causing major building damage or fires.
What kind of pagers were involved in the blasts?
The pagers were consistent with those made by Gold Apollo, a Taiwan-based manufacturer.
What might have caused the pagers to explode?
Speculations include battery detonation or Israeli infiltration, but battery failure alone seems unlikely.
What are the implications of the pager blasts for the Israel-Hezbollah conflict?
The blasts may disrupt Hezbollah operations and could escalate tensions, although an all-out war is deemed unlikely for now.