Dozens of Hezbollah members have been injured in a series of explosions involving communication devices in Lebanon’s southern suburbs, including the Dahieh district, local media reported on Tuesday.
The incidents have resulted in widespread panic and numerous casualties.
Preliminary reports suggest that hundreds of individuals, including Hezbollah fighters and medics, have been wounded across various regions in Lebanon after pagers, used by the militant group for secure communication, exploded unexpectedly. The explosions occurred in multiple locations, including the Bekaa Valley and the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Hezbollah's Al Manar television channel reported that wireless communication devices, specifically pagers, detonated, injuring their users. The Lebanese Resistance group has confirmed that the pagers, which were reportedly hacked, malfunctioned and caused significant injuries.
Health Minister Firass Abiad confirmed that the explosions resulted in hundreds of injuries, with a substantial number of casualties reported among Hezbollah members. An AFP photographer observed ambulances rushing through the southern suburbs of Beirut, while a Reuters journalist reported continued explosions and the deployment of emergency services across affected areas.
The National News Agency (NNA) described the incidents as an "unprecedented enemy security breach," with pagers detonating in several Lebanese regions. The explosions occurred amidst ongoing cross-border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, though there has been no immediate response from the Israeli military regarding these events.
Hezbollah had previously advised its members to avoid using mobile phones due to fears of Israeli surveillance, opting instead for their own communications system. The group’s reliance on pagers, now compromised, has led to this significant security incident.