BEIRUT – Hand-held radios used by Hezbollah exploded late Wednesday in southern Lebanon and Beirut. A security source confirmed the blasts. One blast took place near a funeral organized by Hezbollah. The funeral was for those killed in the prior day’s blasts.
Hezbollah launched rockets at Israeli artillery positions, marking its first attack since the pager explosions. The group vowed retaliation. “We will respond decisively,” a Hezbollah official stated.
Israel’s Mossad reportedly planted explosives in pagers used by Hezbollah several months ago. “This was a sophisticated operation,” a senior Lebanese security source said in an interview. The death toll now stands at 12, including two children. “Almost 3,000 people were injured,” said Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad.
A Taiwanese maker of pagers denied responsibility for the devices. “We did not manufacture those pagers,” Gold Apollo said. The pagers had been manufactured under license by a Budapest company.
Hezbollah usually declares any attack almost instantly. “They are firing now at the Israeli positions,” the source said. The border has been tense since the outbreak of the Gaza War last October. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi blamed Israel for the rise in regional tension. “This is dangerous escalation,” he said.
Mohanad Hage Ali of the Carnegie Middle East Center observed Hezbollah’s restraint. “They do not want an all-out war,” he said. But the pressure for a more dramatic retaliation mounts. Hezbollah pledged continued support for Hamas in Gaza. “Israel should expect a reaction for the pager massacre,” they said.
One official in Hezbollah dubbed it their “biggest security breach.” Hospitals were filled with the injured, some with severe wounds. “The impact upon families is devastating,” lamented one medical personnel.
The plot seemed to be in the making for several months. It also comes after a string of assassinations against officials in both Hezbollah and Hamas. “Israel is escalating the conflict,” said one security source.
