A series of devastating explosions involving communication devices in Lebanon has left at least 14 people dead and over 450 injured, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
The explosions occurred late Wednesday afternoon, targeting walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah in the southern regions of the country and the southern suburbs of Beirut.
This incident follows a deadly event the day before, when exploding pagers killed 12 individuals and injured around 2,800 in Lebanon and Syria.
The Health Ministry described the explosions as a “wave of enemy attacks,” causing significant casualties and destruction. The devices involved are reportedly linked to Hezbollah, which has been accused of using these communication tools for its operations.
These incidents have heightened tensions in the region. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to allow tens of thousands of residents evacuated from northern border areas to return home.
However, his brief video statement did not address the recent explosions involving pagers and walkie-talkies.
“This move is a step towards restoring normalcy, but the security situation remains precarious,” Netanyahu said, without providing details on the military operations or the technology used in the attacks.
In the U.S., Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has called for a thorough explanation from Congress regarding Israel’s involvement in the recent explosions. She condemned the attacks as a violation of international humanitarian law and raised concerns about potential U.S. involvement in the development or use of the devices.
“This attack clearly violates international humanitarian law and undermines U.S. efforts to prevent a broader conflict,” Ocasio-Cortez stated.
“Congress needs a full accounting of the situation, including answers from the State Department regarding any U.S. assistance related to this technology.”
