A series of devastating explosions in Lebanon on Tuesday claimed the lives of at least eight people and injured 2,750 others, according to the country’s health minister, Firass Abiad. The blasts were caused by handheld pagers used by Hezbollah members and other individuals across the country, marking what the group describes as its “biggest security breach” in nearly a year of ongoing hostilities with Israel.
The explosions, which occurred almost simultaneously in southern Lebanon, eastern regions, and Beirut’s southern suburbs, have sent shockwaves through the nation. Hospitals are overwhelmed with victims, 200 of whom are in critical condition, as the country struggles to cope with the unprecedented attack.
Hezbollah, which had previously switched from smartphones to pagers in an effort to avoid Israeli interception, is now facing the consequences of a new vulnerability in their communications system. Reports suggest that the pagers were hacked and detonated remotely in a sophisticated cyberattack, leading to the tragic explosions. The cyberattack represents a major development in the ongoing conflict, demonstrating the evolving tactics being used in this war.
According to Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr, the attack appeared to be coordinated, with the pagers being hacked and set off in a near-simultaneous manner. This breach of Hezbollah’s communication system has not only resulted in significant loss of life but has also raised serious concerns about the security of the group’s technology and the potential for future cyberattacks.
Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was also injured in the blasts, adding an international dimension to the crisis. While Hezbollah is conducting an investigation into the cause of the explosions, there has been no immediate comment from the Israeli military.
This incident comes amidst ongoing cross-border fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, which has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. The conflict has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
As Lebanon grapples with the aftermath of this attack, the situation remains tense, with the potential for further escalation in the volatile region.
