The death toll from the explosion of pagers in Lebanon has risen to 11 dead and 4,000 injured. The Lebanese TV Al Jadeed reported, citing medical sources. For the pro-Iranian Shiite movement, it is the biggest security breach to date and the “responsibility lies entirely” with Israel, which will receive the “just punishment for this aggression.”
The devices, the latest model recently purchased and used for internal communication, have been detonated in various parts of the Country of Cedars and media reports of at least seven deaths and several injuries also in Syria, in the Damascus area. Among those hit, also the Iranian ambassador to Beirut, Mojtaba Amaniwho suffered “a superficial wound and is being observed in hospital,” according to the Fars news agency. The explosions also hit senior Hezbollah figures but not leader Hassan Nasrallah, sources within the group said.
The movement said it had launched a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances of the explosions and assured that it was “at the highest level of readiness to defend Lebanon and its resolute people.».
No comment from the Jewish state but the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahualong with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and security officials, gathered at the Israeli military headquarters in Tel Aviv in an emergency meeting to discuss how to handle a potential escalation with Hezbollah. Tensions on the border with Lebanon were already high, and just yesterday US special envoy Amosh Hochstein, visiting Israel, had warned of an escalation of the conflict with Hezbollah, warning of potentially disastrous consequences.
The US Secretary of State is also expected to arrive in the region today, Antony Blinkenexpected in Egypt to discuss ongoing negotiations aimed at a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. Next week, Israeli media indicate, Pentagon chief Austin Lloyd is expected to arrive in Tel Aviv, precisely because of fears of a widening of the conflict with a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah.
The first to make its voice heard from the Lebanese government was the Minister of Information, Ziad Makari, who “condemned this Israeli attack”, calling it a violation of the sovereignty of the Country of the Cedars.
A 10-year-old girl was killed in Lebanon after a pager exploded, a source close to Hezbollah said. Saudi television’s al-Hadath reported that the son of a Lebanese Hezbollah MP, Ali Ammar, was killed in an explosion. Hezbollah said three of its members were killed in simultaneous pager explosions in Beirut. An investigation is underway, the Lebanese movement added.
Israel’s top security officials have been summoned to an emergency meeting with the government. The Lebanese Minister of Health Firass Abiad he said at a press conference that the explosions involving pagers “killed eight people, including a girl.” “Around 2,750 people were injured, more than 200 of them critically,” he added.
Israeli intelligence has detected unusual signs of Hezbollah military preparations in southern Lebanon. The security apparatus believes that the current timeframe will not allow for the appointment of Gideon Saar as defense minister to replace Yoav Gallant. Saar is also not familiar with the IDF’s operational plans for Lebanon.