Lebanese authorities on Thursday imposed a ban on walkie-talkies and pagers from being taken aboard flights departing from Beirut airport, following a deadly attack earlier this week in which thousands of such devices exploded while in use by Hezbollah. The ban was reported by the National News Agency.
The Lebanese Civil Aviation Directorate instructed airlines operating from Beirut to inform passengers of the ban, which will remain in effect until further notice. The ban also extends to the air shipment of these devices, according to the state news agency.
At least 37 people were killed, and over 3,000 injured, after pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah operatives detonated in two waves of attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Lebanon and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, have accused Israel of carrying out the attack. Israel has not claimed responsibility.
On Thursday, the Lebanese army announced it was conducting controlled detonations of pagers and other suspicious telecom devices in various areas. Authorities urged citizens to report any such suspicious items.
Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in ongoing cross-border hostilities for nearly a year, a conflict that escalated in the aftermath of the Gaza war.
