An attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria has shaken the region. At noon in Beirut, Lebanon, and Damascus, Syria, the militants of Hezbollah’s pagers exploded simultaneously. The confirmed death toll has risen to nine, as communicated by Health Minister Firass Abiad, who also reported that among the victims is an eight-year-old girl from the Bekaa Valley. Currently, there are 2,800 injured, with 200 in critical condition.
According to a Hezbollah source, leader Hassan Nasrallah was not injured in the pager explosion, which seemingly targeted him as well. This report was provided by Channel 12.
As per Saberin News, an outlet affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, seven Hezbollah members were killed in Syria due to the coordinated explosion. The victims were in the Shiite stronghold of Seyedah Zeinab in Damascus.
The Lebanese government spokesman has stated that Beirut holds Israel responsible for the attack and considers it a violation of Lebanese sovereignty. Prime Minister Najib Mikati convened a cabinet meeting after the simultaneous explosions, where the government unanimously condemned this criminal Israeli aggression.
The explosions were caused by a coordinated attack on the pagers through Hezbollah’s internal communication networks. Israeli security sources revealed that the exploded pagers were the latest model used by Hezbollah only a few months ago.
Video Watch the video of one of the explosions below:
The Lebanese Health Ministry is urging people to donate blood, particularly in regions with a high number of injured individuals. The ministry asks hospitals to stay on high alert and coordinate with them to distribute the injured to other areas.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office is distancing itself from a close aide who hinted on social media that Israel may be behind the attack. Top Israeli security officials have been summoned for an emergency meeting with the government.
Israeli intelligence has detected unusual signs of military preparations by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Security agencies believe that the current timing will not allow Gideon Sa’ar to be appointed as defense minister in place of Yoav Gallant, as Sa’ar is not familiar with IDF’s operational plans for Lebanon.
Evaluating the Explosives:
The explosives used in Lebanon and Syria likely contained 10 to 20 grams of high-powered explosive material concealed within a fake electronic component. An anonymous ammunition expert, who previously served in the British army, explained that the explosives were triggered by a signal, possibly a text message.
Experts believe this incident represents one of the most extensive physical attacks on the supply chain. The concern over supply chain attacks is growing in the cybersecurity world, with recent high-profile incidents involving hackers gaining access to products during development.
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