The Pager explosion is the latest in a series of crises that have plagued Lebanon for decades.
The rocket attacks were in response to a pledge Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah called for revenge for a previous mass bomb attack against Israel.
The Israeli military confirmed a “targeted attack” in Beirut but did not provide details. However, sounds of explosions were heard from southern parts of the city.
pushing the news 
The Israeli military confirmed a “targeted attack” in Beirut but did not provide details. However, sounds of explosions were heard from southern parts of the city.
pushing the news
- Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV reported that a drone fired several missiles on a densely populated area called Dahiyah.
- a close source
Lebanon A Hezbollah spokesman said the head of the group’s Radwan unit was killed in an Israeli attack on Friday, while Israel said it had carried out a “targeted attack”. - The Israeli air strike killed Radwan Force commander Ibrahim Aqeel, its second-in-command in the armed forces, AFP quoted a source as saying, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.
- Lebanon was already reeling from a wave of deadly explosions that have killed at least 37 people and injured more than 3,000 in the past few days. The blasts were carried out using handheld pagers and walkie-talkies believed to be used by members of Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group that has long been a major force in the country.
- Although Israel has not officially confirmed responsibility, Hezbollah claims the devices were planted by Israel. The incident has sparked panic across the country, leading to a state of national emergency.
- The explosions that rocked Beirut and several other parts of Lebanon occurred twice in a span of 48 hours. The first blast occurred on Tuesday, killing 12 people and injuring thousands, while the second round of explosions occurred on Wednesday, killing 25 people and injuring more than 450. Hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties, many of whom are in critical condition.
why it matters
- For millions of Lebanese, these explosions are a devastating reminder of the country’s enduring instability. Lebanon has been in a state of constant crisis for years, struggling with political dysfunction, economic collapse and recurrent violence. This latest incident underscores the deep vulnerabilities of a nation that has yet to fully recover from the Beirut port explosion and a series of interconnected crises.
- The timing of the explosions is particularly significant, as Lebanon finds itself embroiled in a wider regional conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has been firing rockets across the border into Israel for nearly a year. With Hezbollah threatening to retaliate, fears are growing that this could be the spark that ignites a full-scale war between the two adversaries.
- Lebanon’s fragile healthcare system, already strained by years of crisis and burdened by casualties from the Syrian war and the Covid-19 pandemic, is now struggling to cope with the aftermath of the blasts. Hospitals are once again operating beyond capacity, reminiscent of the scenes of the 2020 blast when medical staff were pushed to their limits.
- The economic implications of the recent attacks are also significant. Lebanon’s economy, already in a state of decline, faces further setbacks as investors and tourists are likely to be discouraged by the escalating violence. The Lebanese pound, which has lost more than 90% of its value since 2019, continues to fall, pushing more and more people into poverty.
The Big Picture
- The explosions are the latest in a series of crises that have plagued Lebanon for decades. The country has been without a government for more than two years due to political paralysis, and its economy has collapsed, with hyperinflation pushing millions into poverty. Corruption and mismanagement have weakened the state’s ability to provide basic services, leaving most of the population without reliable access to electricity, clean water or healthcare.
- The 2020 port explosion was seen as a symbol of state failure. Caused by haphazardly stored ammonium nitrate, it devastated much of Beirut and left an indelible mark on the national psyche. Yet, four years later, little progress has been made in holding those responsible accountable, and the blast site remains largely untouched, its towering silos a grim reminder of Lebanon’s impoverished state.
- The current crisis with Israel has added another complication to Lebanon’s troubles. Israel and Hezbollah have been engaged in almost daily clashes on the border since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, which has since sparked a war in Gaza. Hezbollah, which considers itself Lebanon’s protector and a staunch ally of Hamas, has vowed to continue its attacks on Israel as long as the war in Gaza continues.
- The device explosions represent a major security lapse for Hezbollah, a group known for its secrecy and disciplined operations. The fact that Israel was able to target and destroy so many devices across the country has shocked the group and its supporters. “The situation in the country is surreal,” said Lebanese citizen Chris Kanazeh, describing the situation as a nightmare that never ends.
‘We are already dying’
- There is an atmosphere of fear, confusion and anger in Lebanon. The explosions have shocked many Lebanese, bringing back memories of past disasters and deepening their sense of insecurity. “I can’t believe this is happening again. How many more disasters will we have to endure?” asked Jocelyn Hallak, a mother of three whose children have already left or are planning to leave Lebanon in search of a better future abroad. Her frustration echoes the sentiments of many Lebanese who feel their country is doomed to a never-ending cycle of violence and instability.
- Marwan Mahfouz, a resident of the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, said the Israeli Prime Minister
benjamin netanyahu They have been threatening Lebanon with war for the past year and suggested they should follow through on their threats. - “If we have to die, we will die. We are already dying. We are already dead,” he told the AP.
- Jocelyn Hallak, a mother of three, expressed her frustration and disappointment in an interview with the AP. Two of her children are already working abroad and the third plans to leave in the coming year after completing his education, she lamented, “I can’t believe this is happening again. How many more disasters will we have to endure?”
- The burden of repeated hardships weighed down on her and she began to question herself when this suffering would finally end. “All this pain, when will it end?” Hallaq’s words echoed the sentiments of countless others who have suffered many misfortunes and yearn for relief from the constant onslaught of hardships.
- The devastating scenes that Mohammed al-Moussawi witnessed in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, are etched in his memory. He described how he was on his way to run an errand when the pagers started going off.
- The streets suddenly turned chaotic, as injured people were carried away on scooters. “Suddenly, we saw injured people being carried away on scooters, some with missing arms and legs, some with their stomachs bulging out. Then the ambulances started arriving,” al-Moussawi said. The number of casualties and emergency vehicles was staggering, reminding him of the tragic port explosion in 2020.
- Maha Yahya, the Beirut-based director of the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center, expressed her anguish, calling it “another catastrophic event that shaped our collective existence.” She drew parallels between the current situation and the aftermath of the Beirut port explosion, highlighting the widespread impact of recent events. “The shock, the dislocation, the trauma is reminiscent of Beirut after the port explosion. Only this time it was not limited to one city, but spread across the entire country,” Yahya shared in a social media post.
What are they saying?
- Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah struck a defiant tone in his first speech after the blasts, saying the attacks were a “massacre” and vowing retribution against Israel. “Israel will face harsh retribution and appropriate punishment, where it expects it and where it does not,” Nasrallah declared. He cast the attacks as an escalation in the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, presenting the group as a defender of Lebanese sovereignty and a key player in the broader regional struggle against Israeli aggression.
- Meanwhile, Israel has remained largely silent over the explosions, neither confirming nor denying responsibility. However, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant signaled a shift in military strategy, declaring that Israel was entering a “new phase” in its war, with the focus now being on its northern border with Lebanon. Galant warned that Hezbollah would “pay an increasing price” for its attacks on Israel, suggesting that more military action could be on the horizon.
- Lebanese officials, for their part, have condemned the attacks as a violation of the country’s sovereignty. Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib called the device explosions “a blatant attack on Lebanon’s security” and warned that the situation could escalate into a full-blown war if it is not controlled. Lebanon has filed a complaint with the United Nations, accusing Israel of cyberterrorism and demanding an independent investigation into the attacks.
between the lines
- The explosion of Hezbollah’s communications equipment has exposed significant vulnerabilities within the group, particularly in terms of its security infrastructure. The fact that Israel was reportedly able to infiltrate Hezbollah’s supply chain and destroy thousands of pieces of equipment calls into question the group’s ability to protect itself and its members from similar attacks in the future. It also underscores the extent to which Israel is able to infiltrate Hezbollah’s operations, potentially setting the stage for more targeted attacks in the coming weeks.
- While Hezbollah is widely viewed as a powerful and disciplined military force, the attacks on its communications equipment are a major setback for the group. Some analysts believe the explosions may be part of a larger Israeli strategy aimed at weakening Hezbollah’s command structure and reducing its ability to coordinate attacks. Middle East expert Lina Khatib said the equipment explosions could cripple Hezbollah’s military arsenal, leaving the group vulnerable to further Israeli attacks.
- At the same time, these attacks have created fear and paranoia among ordinary Lebanese citizens, many of whom now view everyday electronic devices with suspicion. Parents are keeping their children away from schools and universities, and some residents are sleeping with their phones in another room to avoid potential harm.
what will happen next
- As the situation unfolds, it appears that both Lebanon and Israel are preparing for the possibility of further conflict.
- The threat of a full-blown war between the two adversaries now exists more than ever before, with potential catastrophic consequences for both countries.
- Meanwhile, Lebanon’s civil aviation authorities have banned the carriage of pagers and walkie-talkies on all flights departing from Beirut, and civil defence organisations are advising people to turn off their electronic devices to avoid further explosions.
- With international mediators working to prevent further escalation of hostilities, the days ahead will be crucial in determining whether the situation in Lebanon has spiraled out of control. As Hezbollah and Israel continue their deadly game of cat and mouse, the question remains: how much more can Lebanon endure?
(with inputs from agencies)
