At least 11 people were killed and close to 4,000 were injured yesterday after hundreds of communication devices simultaneously detonated across Lebanon. Hezbollah officials claimed the incident was a coordinated Israeli attack on the militant group's members, with Lebanon's foreign minister promising retaliation.
The hourlong incident primarily involved recently issued pagers, low-tech electronic devices used by Hezbollah to circumvent Israeli surveillance. Israel reportedly planted explosives in the devices before they were imported to Lebanon, according to US and other officials. Videos showed the devices exploding in public places, with reports the pagers would beep several times before detonating (see video, warning—sensitive content). Hospital workers reported dozens of injuries to the eyes, hands, and waist. An eight-year-old girl and the son of a Lebanese lawmaker were among those killed, while Iran's ambassador to Lebanon was reportedly injured.
The attack comes amid an 11-month conflict between Lebanon and Israel since Hamas—a Hezbollah ally—attacked Israel (see background). On Monday, Israel made returning its civilians to its northern border area near Lebanon an official war objective amid months of rocket attacks there.
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