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On September 17, 2024, a devastating wave of exploding pagers swept across Lebanon and parts of Syria, resulting in at least eight fatalities and over 2,700 injuries. This unprecedented incident sent shockwaves through the region, raising tensions in an already volatile area.
The explosions, which occurred near-simultaneously, primarily affected areas with a strong Hezbollah presence. Lebanon's Health Minister, Firas Abiad, reported that among the 2,750 wounded, 200 were in critical condition. The casualties included members of Hezbollah, with the militant group confirming at least two of its members were killed.
Eyewitness accounts and local media reports painted a grim picture of the aftermath. Social media was flooded with images and videos showing injured individuals lying on pavements, many with wounds on their hands or near their pockets where the pagers were typically carried.
The sophistication of the attack suggested a coordinated effort. A Hezbollah official, speaking anonymously to The Associated Press, described how the new brand of handheld pagers used by the group first heated up before exploding. This detail points to a potential vulnerability in the technology that was exploited.
International figures were not spared from the incident. The Iranian state-run IRNA news agency reported that Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was among those injured, albeit superficially, and was receiving treatment at a hospital.
The timing of this incident is particularly significant, occurring against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between Lebanon and Israel. For over 11 months, Hezbollah and Israeli forces have been engaged in near-daily clashes, paralleling the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. These hostilities have resulted in hundreds of casualties and displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border.
While no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, fingers were quickly pointed at Israel. The Israeli military, when approached for comment, declined to respond. This silence has only fueled speculation about their potential involvement, given Israel's history of sophisticated targeted operations against militant groups.
The use of pagers as a weapon highlights the evolving nature of modern warfare and espionage. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had previously warned members against carrying cellphones, citing the risk of Israeli tracking. This shift to pagers, ironically intended as a security measure, became a vulnerability.
