In a chilling continuation of the violence that started with Tuesday's pager explosions, more blasts erupted across Lebanon on Wednesday. Walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah militants reportedly detonated in several locations, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, Nabatieh, Tyre, and Saida, leaving at least 14 dead and 450 injured, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The detonations occurred during the funeral of four Hezbollah fighters killed in the previous day’s explosions.
These blasts follow a similar attack on Tuesday, which targeted pagers used by Hezbollah, killing at least 12 people and wounding thousands. The Lebanese Army urged citizens to stay away from affected areas to allow medical teams to assist the wounded, many of whom sustained severe injuries, including amputations.
Hezbollah and the Government Point Fingers
Both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government have placed the blame for these attacks on Israel, accusing it of orchestrating a remote-controlled strike. Israel, however, has declined to comment, while the US has denied any involvement in the attacks. The head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council, Hashem Safieddine, vowed retaliation, warning that the group is now in a “new confrontation with the enemy” and promising a "special punishment" in response to Tuesday’s attack.
Rising Civilian Casualties and Widespread Fear
The attacks have drawn sharp condemnation from international actors, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemning the loss of civilian lives, particularly children, calling the situation "extremely worrying." The ongoing conflict has put Lebanon’s stability at risk as tensions between Hezbollah and Israel continue to escalate. These recent incidents come in the wake of 11 months of near-daily clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, spurred by the larger Israel-Hamas conflict.
Are We on the Verge of War?
With both sides continuing to exchange fire, and now these devastating blasts in Lebanon, fears are mounting that the situation could spiral into a full-blown war. Hundreds have already been killed, and thousands displaced, on both sides of the border. As Israel seeks to halt Hezbollah's attacks in the north, Lebanon remains on high alert, bracing for further violence.
Source: Euronews
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