Two of the deceased were Hezbollah fighters, read an official statement.
‘Security breach’
A Hezbollah official described the pager explosions as the “biggest security breach” the organisation had experienced in almost a year of conflict with Israel.”The enemy (Israel) stands behind this security incident that targeted the devices,” the official said, without elaborating.
The Israeli military, which has been engaged in an exchange of fire with Hezbollah since October, coinciding with the Gaza war, did not provide an immediate response to the incident.
Also read: What are pagers? Devices that led to wave of blasts in Lebanon
‘Fully responsible’
Hezbollah accused Israel of being responsible for the explosions that resulted in the deaths of eight individuals.
The Iran-backed organization in a statement said, “We hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression,” adding that Israel “will certainly receive its just punishment for this sinful aggression”.
Iran’s envoy among injured
Iran’s ambassador to Beirut Mojtaba Amani also sustained injuries when a pager detonated, according to reports from state media. The ambassador’s condition was described as stable and non-life-threatening.
“Iranian ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani was injured in a pager explosion,” state television said, adding that he was “conscious and in no danger”.
Lithium batteries
According to Reuters, the explosives that detonated in Lebanon were the most recent models smuggled into the country by Hezbollah over the past few months.
The new pagers had lithium batteries that apparently exploded.
Lithium batteries, when overheated, can smoke, melt and even catch on fire. Rechargeable lithium batteries are used in consumer products ranging from cellphones and laptops to electric cars.
Lithium battery fires can burn up to 590 C (1,100 F).
Videos circulating online showed ambulances hurrying through Beirut’s southern suburbs amidst widespread chaos.
Photos and videos from Beirut’s southern suburbs circulating on social media and in local media showed people lying on the pavement with wounds on their hands or near their pants pockets.
Even 30 minutes after the initial explosions, residents reported ongoing detonations and observed groups of individuals gathered at building entrances, checking on acquaintances who might have been injured.
Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported “an unprecedented security incident involving the enemy”, with multiple detonations of handheld pagers occurring across several regions.
“Dozens of injuries have been reported,” NNA added.
In response to the devastating incident, the Lebanese Red Cross deployed a significant emergency response team including more than 50 ambulances and 300 emergency medical staff to assist in the evacuation of victims.
The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between Lebanon and Israel.
The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Israeli forces have been clashing near-daily for more than 11 months against the backdrop of war between Israel and Hezbollah ally Hamas in Gaza.
The clashes have killed hundreds in Lebanon and dozens in Israel and displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border. On Tuesday, Israel said that halting Hezbollah’s attacks in the north to allow residents to return to their homes is now an official war goal.
