Deadly Blasts in Lebanon Raise Questions on Regional Stability

At a Glance

Nine people, including a child, were killed after handheld pagers used by Hezbollah exploded across Lebanon.
Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon was among 2,800 people wounded by the blasts.
Hezbollah confirmed the deaths of eight fighters and blamed Israel for the explosions, vowing retribution.
Israel’s security cabinet had earlier stated stopping Hezbollah attacks was a war goal.

Series of Explosions and Immediate Impact

On September 17, explosions caused by handheld pagers across Lebanon resulted in the deaths of nine people and injuries to 2,800 others. The explosion victims included a small child and Mahdi Ammar, an associate of a Hezbollah parliament member. Multiple sources confirmed the incident, which began around 15:30 local time, affecting Beirut and other areas. Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon was also among the wounded, his wife reported he was “slightly injured” and recovering in the hospital.

Hospitals quickly became overwhelmed with casualties. Witnesses saw smoke and small explosions from people’s pockets, often causing severe wounds, with many needing immediate medical care. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health has initiated emergency response measures to manage the crisis. Speculation suggested the pagers might have contained military-grade explosives triggered by a specific signal.

Hezbollah’s Response and Accusations

Hezbollah confirmed the deaths of eight of its fighters and blamed Israel for orchestrating the explosions. The group vowed to take retributive action against what they called “this criminal aggression.” Hezbollah, backed by Iran, stated the pagers belonged to “employees of various Hezbollah units and institutions.” Israel has denied any involvement, while the U.S. also distanced itself from the incident and called on Iran to avoid escalating tensions.

“Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, stated that the pagers belonged to “employees of various Hezbollah units and institutions” and confirmed the deaths of eight fighters. The group blamed Israel for what it termed “this criminal aggression” and vowed to seek “just retribution.” The Israeli military declined to comment.”

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the explosions as an affront to Lebanon’s sovereignty, describing the incident as yet another element in the ongoing struggle between Hezbollah and Israel. Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi strongly condemned the blasts, labeling them as “Israeli terrorism.”

⚡️ 8 dead, more than 2,800 wounded in Lebanon pager blasts – Lebanese Health Minister pic.twitter.com/J558cwxD0N

— RT (@RT_com) September 17, 2024

Geopolitical Implications

The explosions have significantly heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, which have already been strained since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7. Analysts have speculated that Israel’s cyber operations could be the cause of the security breach leading to these explosions. Security officials suspect the pagers were packed with explosives months before they entered Lebanon. The conflict has resulted in at least 589 deaths in Lebanon, most of whom are Hezbollah fighters, and 46 deaths in Israel, affecting both civilians and security personnel.

The U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein warned Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu against initiating a war with Hezbollah, cautioning that further military actions could lead to uncontrollable escalation. The UN has expressed deep concern over the developments in Lebanon, urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint and seek dialogue to avert a full-scale conflict.