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Exploding Pagers and Walkie-Talkies: A Dangerous Escalation Between Israel and Hezbollah
How a series of covert attacks on communication devices is intensifying tensions in the Middle East
In a startling escalation of tensions in the Middle East, hundreds of pagers and thousands of walkie-talkies exploded across Lebanon and Syria, targeting members of Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group and political party based in Lebanon; these attacks, occurring over two consecutive days, have resulted in dozens of deaths and thousands of injuries, marking a significant turning point in the protracted conflict between Hezbollah and Israel
The Explosions Unfold
On a Tuesday, hundreds of pagers detonated simultaneously in Lebanon and Syria, victims reported that the pagers rang just before exploding, leading many to be holding them at the moment of detonation; the following day, thousands of walkie-talkies exploded across Lebanon, causing further casualties, the devices were reportedly tampered with to include remote detonating switches and small amounts of explosive material
The human toll has been devastating:
- Pager Explosions: At least 12 people killed, including Hezbollah members and two children; more than 2,800 injured, with over 300 in critical condition
