Beirut (National Times) Explosions targeting walkie-talkies associated with Hezbollah have resulted in at least nine fatalities and over 300 injuries across various Lebanese cities on Wednesday.
This incident follows a previous attack attributed to Israel, which left more than 2,800 people injured and claimed 12 lives due to exploding pagers.
Hezbollah confirmed that the recent blasts specifically targeted devices used by the group. According to a senior security official, the explosions were relatively small, similar in scale to those from the previous day.
The Lebanese health ministry reported nine deaths and extensive injuries, with emergency responders nearly finished transporting victims to hospitals.
In addition, multiple solar power systems in homes throughout Lebanon reportedly exploded, injuring at least one girl in the town of al-Zahrani.
Images circulating on social media showed destroyed solar panels and other electronic devices, although it remains unclear whether these incidents were directly linked to the walkie-talkie explosions.
Hezbollah and the Lebanese government have placed blame on Israel for the initial attacks, with Hezbollah vowing a “fair punishment” in response.
Visuals of the devastation showed shattered communication devices amidst the wreckage. A video captured a Hezbollah member during a funeral for those killed in the earlier blasts when an explosion occurred, sending bystanders fleeing.
While Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the attacks, reports indicate that explosives may have been planted in numerous pagers used by Hezbollah. In response to the situation, the Israeli military has repositioned its 98th Division, which recently operated in Gaza, to northern Israel and is conducting limited reserve recruitments in the area.
On Wednesday, IDF Northern Command head Maj Gen Uri Gordin oversaw drills simulating combat scenarios in Lebanon, emphasising the military’s readiness for any required actions. Following a security briefing between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, no details were disclosed.
In the afternoon, the IDF reported that several rockets were fired from Lebanon into western Galilee, although they struck open land and caused no injuries. Additionally, an Israeli fighter jet intercepted a drone reportedly launched from Iraq early that morning.
