At least three people were killed and 2,750 others, including Hezbollah fighters, medics, and Iran's envoy to Beirut, were wounded on Tuesday when the pagers they use to communicate exploded across Lebanon, according to security sources and the Lebanese health minister.
The detonations were condemned by Lebanon's information minister, Ziad Makary, as an "Israeli aggression." Hezbollah also blamed Israel for the blasts and vowed that it would face consequences for its actions. The Israeli military declined to comment on the explosions.
The explosions lasted for about an hour and caused widespread panic in Lebanon, especially in Beirut's southern suburbs, which are known to be Hezbollah strongholds. The Lebanese Health Minister, Firass Abiad, reported that 200 of the wounded were in critical condition, with many of them being Hezbollah fighters who are sons of top officials within the group.
Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, also suffered injuries in one of the explosions and is currently under observation in a hospital. The UN expressed deep concern over the situation in Lebanon and deplored any civilian casualties that may have occurred.
Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the Gaza war erupted last October, leading to ongoing clashes and tensions between the two sides. Efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza have been unsuccessful, further exacerbating the situation.
The explosions on Tuesday have prompted a massive response from emergency services in Lebanon, with medical workers being called in to help treat the wounded. The Lebanese Red Cross dispatched ambulances and emergency medical staff to assist in the evacuation of victims.