Hundreds of handheld messaging devices exploded simultaneously across Lebanon and parts of Syria on the morning of September 17 (local time), according to AP. At least eight people were killed and about 2,750 injured. Among the victims were the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon and many Hezbollah members.
Lebanese officials immediately accused Israel of being behind the sophisticated attack, which comes amid intense fighting between the two sides along the border. The Israeli military declined to comment on the incident.
A Hezbollah official shared that their handheld pagers started heating up and exploded at the same time.
According to statistics from the staff of the Lebanese Ministry of Health, the incident left 2,750 people injured, of whom 200 were in critical condition and had to be taken to the emergency room immediately.
Images and videos posted on social media show many people lying on the sidewalks with injured hands or injured legs - the part near their pockets.
Earlier, Hezbollah leader Nasrallah warned his troops not to carry mobile phones with them because Israel could track their movements to carry out airstrikes.
Lebanon's Health Minister said hospitals in southern Lebanon, the western Bekaa Valley and southern suburbs of the capital Beirut were overwhelmed and called on people to donate blood.
It is still unclear who was behind the incident, but Hezbollah has repeatedly claimed that Israel is responsible for the security incident.
Cross-border conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah are becoming more frequent, with the two sides continuously responding to each other with airstrikes, and the potential for another major war in the Middle East is always lurking alongside the Israel-Hamas conflict.
