Hezbollah announced on Wednesday that it will intensify its military actions against Israel to “support Gaza,” following an unprecedented attack on the group’s communication network that led to thousands of pager explosions across Lebanon.
The explosions, which occurred around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, resulted in at least 12 fatalities and approximately 2,800 injuries, according to Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad. The attack, which Hezbollah attributes to Israel, overwhelmed Lebanon’s medical facilities and heightened existing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border.
Hezbollah stated that its ongoing operations against Israel, which began in October in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza, are distinct from the “reckoning” that Israel will face for Tuesday’s massacre. The group promised further retaliation.
Israel’s military, which typically does not comment on operations abroad, has not confirmed or denied involvement. Analysts believe the attack was sophisticated and premeditated, possibly involving the placement of explosives in the pagers before distribution.
Gold Apollo, a Taiwanese pager manufacturer whose logo appeared on some of the destroyed devices, clarified that it did not produce the pagers involved in the explosions. The company stated that BAC Consulting Kft., a Hungarian firm authorized to use Gold Apollo’s trademark, handled these devices. BAC Consulting did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The attack has spurred increased Israeli focus on its northern border, with officials suggesting military action is necessary to allow residents to return to their homes. This shift in focus comes as Israel’s security cabinet has made securing the north a key objective.
In Lebanon, the explosions were widely condemned and likened to the aftermath of the 2020 Beirut port explosion. The casualties included an 8-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy. Medical teams performed 460 surgeries, with many victims suffering severe injuries. Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon was among those injured. Iraq has sent medical aid to Lebanon in response to the crisis.
Schools and universities across Lebanon were closed on Wednesday as unions called for strikes in solidarity with the victims. International reactions have included calls for de-escalation. The British government expressed deep concern over the civilian casualties and updated its travel advisory for Lebanon, advising against travel and warning of increased military presence. Egypt and Turkey also expressed support for Lebanon and called for regional stability.
U.S. officials stated they were unaware of the attack prior to its occurrence and urged all parties to avoid escalating tensions.
