Second wave of remote blasts rocks Lebanon, radios blow up
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The news: Hand-held radios used by Hezbollah detonated across the Lebanese militant group’s strongholds of southern Lebanon and Beirut, adding to the chaos caused by pager explosions a day earlier, and escalating tensions between Israel and the Iran-backed militia.
The Associated Press reported multiple explosions near a funeral for Hezbollah members and a child, while Reuters said hand-held radios exploded in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s suburbs, citing Lebanese state media.
Lebanon's official news agency also reported home solar systems exploded in several areas of Beirut, according to AP.
Axios said Israel blew up thousands of two-way personal radios used by Hezbollah members in Lebanon, citing two unnamed sources with knowledge of the operations.
The Lebanese Red Cross said 30 ambulance teams were dispatched in response to the explosions across southern Lebanon and Baalbek, The New York Times reported.
The numbers: The death toll stands at 26, including two children, and over 3,000 wounded over the two days.
The context: The remote blasts come after months of escalating violence, including cross-border clashes and Israeli strikes on Hezbollah positions.
A key Iranian ally, Hezbollah has been engaged in ongoing hostilities with Israel since the Gaza war began, backing Hamas, which launched the October assault on southern Israel that triggered the conflict.
On Wednesday, Lebanese security sources blamed Israel’s spy agency Mossad for planting explosives in the devices.
Israel has not commented on the blasts, but an unnamed US official told the Associated Press Israel had briefed the United States after the attack on Tuesday, in which small amounts of explosive hidden in pagers were detonated.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israeli artillery positions on Wednesday, further heightening tensions and raising the prospect of an all-out war with Israel.
The Israeli military said there were no reports of damage or casualties, and defence minister Yoav Gallant said more troops and resources would be deployed to northern Israel for "a new phase in the war."
What they said: “The center of gravity is shifting to the north. This means that we are moving forces, resources and energy to the north,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Wednesday at an air base in northern Israel.
“I estimate that we are at the start of a new phase in this war.”
In a statement, United Nations’ human rights chief, Volker Türk said: "Simultaneous targeting of thousands of individuals, whether civilians or members of armed groups, without knowledge of who was in possession of the targeted devices, their location and their surroundings at the time of the attack, violates international human rights law."
The sources: Associated Press , Reuters , Axios , The New York Times , UN statement
