September 18th 2024.
Hundreds of pagers suddenly exploded across Lebanon and Syria, causing chaos and devastation as they killed and injured many people. It was reported that at least nine individuals lost their lives while thousands more were wounded in a series of simultaneous explosions in the region. The explosions occurred without warning, leaving behind a trail of destruction and confusion. This tragic event came after a period of escalating tensions between the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israel, causing widespread fear and concern among the local population.
According to Al Jazeera, the Lebanese security services and health minister have confirmed that up to 2,750 people were wounded in the blasts. Among the injured were members of Hezbollah and the Iranian ambassador, with 200 individuals in critical condition. This shocking attack has left many wondering about the motives and potential repercussions of such violence on innocent civilians. To better understand the situation, it is important to know who Hezbollah is and their role in the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Hezbollah, born during the lengthy Lebanese Civil War, is both a Shiite Muslim party and a militant group. They are known for their anti-Israel stance and close relationship with Iran, frequently receiving weapons and support from the country. Adding to the already tense situation in the region, Hezbollah has also been backing Hamas since October 7th, when tensions between Israel and Palestine escalated. Over the years, the group has grown in military strength, with their leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah stating in 2021 that they have 100,000 fighters.
Since the October 7th attacks, daily clashes have been occurring between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, resulting in hundreds of casualties and displacing many on both sides of the border. This recent explosion in Lebanon has only added to the ongoing violence and turmoil in the region. Shocking footage captured the moment when pagers exploded at marketplaces and other locations, causing further devastation and loss of life. Many of these pagers were used by Hezbollah fighters to evade Israeli tracking, as reported by Reuters.
According to the militant group, two fighters and a young girl were among the casualties of the explosions. An unnamed Hezbollah official stated that this was the biggest security breach since tensions escalated last year. The cause of the explosions is still unknown, but some theories have emerged, with some speculating that it could be the result of hacking. It is believed that a signal may have activated a pre-installed malware in the pagers, overheating the lithium battery or detonating a small explosive inside.
Reports have also surfaced that Hezbollah had ordered these devices months before the explosions, with a security source claiming that they were modified by Mossad, Israel's national spy agency, at the production level. The source alleged that the brand-new pagers had up to 3g of explosives secretly stuffed inside, which went undetected for months. Analysis of the devices revealed that they were the AR-924 model with Gold Apollo branding, manufactured in Europe under license by a company called BAC, according to Sky News.
The explosions began around 4:45 pm yesterday, and it was later revealed that around 5,000 pagers had arrived in Lebanon in the spring. The source also claimed that the pagers were tampered with by Mossad, causing widespread speculation and blame on the use of the radio network used by the beepers. It is believed that they may have been hacked, emitting a signal that triggered the explosions. The question of who is behind this attack remains unanswered, but many have accused Israel.
Israel has not officially commented on the explosions, but they did state that stopping Hezbollah attacks is now an official goal to allow residents to return to their homes in the north. The UK Foreign Office has called for calm and de-escalation in the region, expressing deep distress at the loss of civilian lives. The chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Emily Thornberry, has also voiced her concern and called for a serious conversation with Israel about the situation. In response to the explosions, Lufthansa has suspended all flights to Tel Aviv and Tehran.
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