Pagers explosion: At least 8 dead,  2,750 wounded in Lebanon and Syria amid Israel-Hamas conflict, Hezbollah blames Israel

Hundreds of handheld pagers exploded almost simultaneously across Lebanon and parts of Syria on Tuesday, killing at least eight people, government and Hezbollah officials said. The explosions, which appeared to be a sophisticated, remote attack, were attributed to Israel by Lebanese officials. The Israeli military has declined to comment on the incident.

Hezbollah has been involved in daily exchanges of fire with Israel since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that triggered the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Tens of thousands of people on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border have been forced to evacuate their homes due to the conflict, reports the Associated Press.

In Gaza, the Health Ministry reports over 41,000 Palestinian deaths since the start of the war. Israel claims to have killed over 17,000 militants, though no evidence has been provided. The war has displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million.

Lebanon Condemns ‘Israeli Cyber Attack’

Lebanon’s foreign ministry condemned what it called an “Israeli cyber attack,” blaming Israel for the pager explosions across Lebanon and Syria. The ministry is preparing to complain with the U.N. Security Council, accusing Israel of deliberate escalation aimed at spreading more destruction and bloodshed.

At least eight people were killed and 2,750 wounded by exploding pagers, including two Hezbollah members, Lebanese health officials reported. Iranian state media also confirmed that Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was injured in one of the explosions. Hezbollah has launched an investigation into the cause of the simultaneous detonations.

Hezbollah investigation underway

In a statement, Hezbollah claimed the pager explosions began at 3:30 p.m. (1230 GMT) and led to the deaths of a young girl and two of its members. Hezbollah warned against listening to rumours and stated that their resistance forces remain on high alert to defend Lebanon.

Israel claims to foil Hezbollah assassination attempt

In a separate development, Israel’s Shin Bet security agency announced that it had thwarted an alleged Hezbollah attempt to assassinate a former Israeli security official. The agency found an explosive device similar to one previously discovered in Tel Aviv in September 2023. No evidence directly linking Hezbollah to the device has been provided.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes targeted homes in central Gaza, killing at least four people, including a child. Civil Defense reports that additional victims remain trapped under the rubble. Israel maintains that its strikes are aimed at militants, but Gaza’s Health Ministry reports a staggering toll, with over 41,000 Palestinian deaths, many of them civilians.