Israel-Hezbollah latest: Hezbollah Walkie-Talkie Explosions – Devastation in Lebanon

Key Updates for Today:

• Israel Shifts Focus to Hezbollah: After months of intense operations in Gaza, Israel’s Defense Minister announced that the military is now redirecting its attention to the northern front to confront Hezbollah. The Israeli army chief has confirmed that the forces are prepared to launch strikes against the Lebanese militant group.
• A Second Day of Explosions: On Wednesday, fresh explosions rocked Lebanon, following the devastating pager bombings from the previous day. Tuesday’s blasts left at least 12 dead, including two children, throwing the country into turmoil.
• Impact on Cease-Fire Negotiations: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed disappointment and concern over the escalating violence, which threatens to undermine ongoing efforts to secure a cease-fire agreement in Gaza. The unexpected flare-up has added new complications to the already tense situation.

Israel-Hezbollah latest

Footage of Explosions in Lebanon Circulates Widely on Social Media

Videos of explosions in Lebanon have been making rounds on social media, capturing the aftermath of the attacks. One particularly chilling scene, recorded from multiple angles, shows a funeral procession disrupted by a sudden blast. Smoke fills the air as a man collapses to the ground, and panicked screams follow.

The funeral has been confirmed to be taking place in Kfar Sir, a village located in the Nabatieh District in southern Lebanon. One of the videos that captures the exact moment of the explosion was taken from a Facebook live stream, with comments from viewers offering condolences to the people of Kfar Sir.

Further verification came from cross-referencing social media posts with satellite imagery, helping to authenticate the location of the funeral. Other footage shows smoke billowing from a phone shop in the city of Sidon, situated along Lebanon’s southwestern Mediterranean coast. Additional videos depict a fire in the Haret Hreik area of Beirut.

While these videos vividly document the destruction, the exact cause of the explosions remains unclear from the footage alone, leaving unanswered questions about what triggered the blasts.

Hezbollah Leader Set to Address Nation After Deadly Explosions

Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, is expected to make a public statement at 15:00 BST regarding the recent attacks involving explosive devices. This will be Nasrallah’s first public remarks on the matter, as he has remained silent since the explosions began. However, on Wednesday, Hezbollah released a statement reiterating its continued support for Hamas in Gaza, and warning Israel of an imminent “difficult reckoning.”

The militant group also claimed responsibility for rocket attacks targeting Israeli artillery positions along the Israel-Lebanon border and the Golan Heights in retaliation for the explosive attacks. A Hezbollah official, speaking anonymously to Reuters, described the incidents as the group’s “largest security breach” since the escalation of the conflict following the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel.

Nasrallah, who has led Hezbollah since 1992, is a key figure in the organization’s history and has overseen its rise as a dominant force in Lebanon. His anticipated speech is expected to address the group’s strategy and response to the escalating tensions with Israel.

Death Toll from Wednesday’s Explosions Reaches 20, Reports Lebanon’s Health Ministry

The Lebanese Health Ministry has confirmed that the number of fatalities from Wednesday’s walkie-talkie explosions has risen to 20, with over 450 injured. The blasts came just a day after devastating pager explosions rocked the nation, killing 12 people, including two children, and injuring at least 2,750 in what is suspected to be an Israeli attack on Hezbollah’s communication devices.

According to western intelligence sources, many of the wounded from Tuesday’s attack suffered severe eye injuries or were even blinded when the pagers exploded. These blasts targeted Hezbollah’s low-tech communication systems.

Exploded Walkie-Talkies Likely Counterfeit, Says Icom Representative

A representative from the U.S. subsidiary of Icom, a Japanese walkie-talkie manufacturer, has stated that the radios that detonated in Lebanon were likely counterfeit and not genuine Icom products. In an interview with The Associated Press, Ray Novak, a senior sales manager at Icom America, expressed certainty, saying, “I can guarantee you these were not our products.”

The V82 model, which was reportedly involved in the explosions, was introduced more than 20 years ago and has since been discontinued. Originally popular among amateur radio operators and for emergency communication uses, such as weather tracking, the device has not been in production for years.

Novak spent much of the day responding to calls and dispelling misinformation surrounding Icom’s involvement. He demonstrated how easy it is to find counterfeit versions of the V82 model online, suggesting that the devices used in the explosions were likely knockoffs.

U.S. Military Reevaluates Mideast Force Positioning Amid Escalation

In response to the pager attack in Lebanon, Lt. Gen. Derek France, commander of U.S. air operations in the Middle East, canceled a scheduled appearance at a conference in Maryland to monitor the situation closely. A military official, speaking anonymously, stated that the attack prompted the U.S. Air Force to reevaluate how its forces are positioned across the region in case of potential retaliation.

The review comes shortly after the U.S. Navy relocated one of its aircraft carriers from the region, following a decision to temporarily bolster military presence with two carriers in the Middle East. The Biden administration had previously increased U.S. military forces in the region to help protect Israel from possible attacks by Iran and its allied militias, and to ensure the safety of U.S. personnel.

The U.S. maintains a significant military presence in the Middle East, including tens of thousands of service members, as well as additional ships and aircraft squadrons, with the aim of preventing the current conflict from escalating into a broader regional war.

On Wednesday, hand-held radios used by Hezbollah detonated across southern Lebanon, marking the deadliest day since the start of cross-border hostilities between the militant group and Israel almost a year ago. This incident followed a similar attack involving explosive pagers the previous day, intensifying already high tensions in the region.

Lebanon’s health ministry reported that 20 people were killed, and over 450 injured in Beirut’s suburbs and the Bekaa Valley during Wednesday’s blasts. The death toll from Tuesday’s pager explosions had already risen to 12, including two children, with nearly 3,000 others injured.

While Israeli officials remained silent, security sources claimed that Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, was responsible for both attacks. One Hezbollah leader called the incidents the most severe security breach the group had ever faced. These events come amid an 11-month conflict between Israel and Gaza, raising fears of a broader escalation, particularly along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.

“We are entering a new phase of this war, one that requires great courage, resolve, and perseverance,” stated Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant during remarks at an air force base. Meanwhile, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi condemned Israel for driving the region toward a dangerous escalation on multiple fronts, warning of a potential regional war.

Although the United States denied any involvement in the blasts, a U.S. official disclosed that Israel had informed Washington on Tuesday that an operation in Lebanon was forthcoming, but provided no specifics. The operation’s nature caught U.S. officials by surprise.

One of the explosions on Wednesday occurred near a funeral for Hezbollah members killed during the previous day’s pager detonations. A Reuters reporter in southern Beirut observed Hezbollah members frantically removing batteries from remaining walkie-talkies to prevent further explosions, disposing of them in metal barrels. To evade Israeli surveillance, Hezbollah had shifted from mobile phones to lower-tech devices such as pagers and radios.

Responding to the multiple blasts, Lebanon’s Red Cross mobilized 30 ambulance teams across affected areas, including southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.

Images of the exploded radios showed labels from the Japanese telecommunications company ICOM, resembling its IC-V82 model, which was discontinued 10 years ago. ICOM is investigating reports of its devices being used in the blasts, noting that its radios are exclusively sold through authorized distributors and that the company adheres to Japan’s export regulations. The company also mentioned the presence of counterfeit versions of its products in the market.

According to a security source, the hand-held radios were purchased by Hezbollah approximately five months ago, around the same time they acquired the compromised pagers.

Tuesday’s Explosions: Israeli Covert Operation and Aftermath

On Tuesday, sources revealed that Israeli spies remotely detonated explosives planted in a shipment of 5,000 pagers intended for Hezbollah before they crossed into Lebanon. This covert operation resulted in mass casualties. The UN Security Council is set to meet on Friday to discuss the incident, following a request from several Arab states.

Reports regarding the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon’s injuries varied. While Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency initially reported superficial injuries, The New York Times later revealed he had lost an eye and suffered severe damage to the other when a pager in his possession exploded. According to two members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the severity of the ambassador’s injuries was far worse than initially stated.

In response, Iran’s envoy to the UN submitted a letter, stating the country “reserves its rights under international law to take necessary measures” following the attack.

Hezbollah’s Retaliation: Rocket Fire on Israeli Positions

On Wednesday, Hezbollah launched rockets at Israeli artillery positions, marking the first retaliatory strike since the explosions. The Israeli military reported no casualties or significant damage from the attack. According to Mohanad Hage Ali, deputy director at the Carnegie Middle East Center, Hezbollah seeks to avoid an all-out war, but pressure for a more significant response is growing due to the scale of the attacks.

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023, raising concerns of a broader Middle Eastern conflict involving the United States and Iran. The prior highest daily death toll in Lebanon from the ongoing hostilities was 11 deaths during Israeli shelling the previous month.

Israeli Military Movements and Lebanon’s Fragile State

In response to the escalating situation, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that troops and resources were being moved to the Lebanese border. This shift includes the transfer of the 98th Division, known for its elite commando and paratrooper units, from Gaza to the north.

Gallant remarked that Israel’s “center of gravity” was shifting to the northern front, indicating that more resources were being allocated to confront potential threats from Lebanon. A full-blown conflict between Israel and Hezbollah could have disastrous consequences for Lebanon, a country already facing multiple crises, including a financial collapse in 2019 and the catastrophic Beirut port explosion in 2020.

International Efforts and Future Conflict Risks

Amid rising tensions, diplomatic efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to negotiate a Gaza ceasefire have so far failed. The recent explosions and retaliation have complicated these efforts further. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby indicated it was too early to gauge how the attacks would affect ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

Hezbollah, backed by Iran, remains steadfast in its support for Hamas in Gaza and has vowed further retaliation against Israel for what it called the “pager massacre”. A delegation from Hamas visited those injured in the blasts at hospitals in Lebanon on Wednesday, according to Lebanon’s state news agency NNA.

The explosions followed a series of targeted assassinations of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, which have been attributed to Israel since the onset of the Gaza war. With tensions reaching new heights, the risk of an all-out regional war looms large, threatening to pull in major global powers.

Hamas Official: Israel to Blame for Lebanon Attacks’ Consequences

Senior Hamas leader Izzat al-Rasheq accused the Israeli government of bearing full responsibility for the aftermath of what he described as a “relentless assault on Lebanon.” His statement followed the explosion of hand-held radios used by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and in the suburbs of Beirut on Wednesday.

Israel’s Iron Dome Responds to Missiles Amid Northern Tensions

On Wednesday afternoon, Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted missiles near the country’s northern border with Lebanon, shortly after air raid sirens warned of incoming threats. The area near the border saw brushfires, further heightening the region’s tensions as conflict escalates.

Hungary Denies Role in Explosive Devices Used in Lebanon

The Hungarian government issued a statement clarifying that the devices involved in the explosions in Lebanon were never on Hungarian soil. This followed claims from Gold Apollo, a Taiwanese pager manufacturer, that the model involved in the Hezbollah attack was produced by Budapest-based BAC Consulting, though Gold Apollo emphasized it only licensed its brand to BAC and had no role in the production of the explosive pagers.

Calls and emails from Reuters to BAC went unanswered on Wednesday. However, Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs stated on Facebook: “These devices were never in Hungary.” He also reassured that Hungary will fully cooperate with investigations while maintaining that the issue does not pose a national security risk.

Israel Informed the U.S. Before Yesterday’s Operation in Lebanon

Israeli officials notified the U.S. that they were planning an operation in Lebanon yesterday but provided no specifics about what they intended to do, according to three CNN sources familiar with the matter. The sources indicated that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, discussed the topic yesterday morning.

“The fact that no details were given about what the operation would involve meant that U.S. officials were kept in the dark until reports of hundreds of pager explosions surfaced shortly afterward,” the sources said.

CNN has learned that Israel was behind the attack, which escalated tensions in an already volatile region. The operation was reportedly a joint effort by Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and the Israeli military. The Lebanese government condemned the attack, calling it “criminal Israeli aggression.”

UN Security Council Meeting Following Walkie-Talkie Explosions

According to the BBC, the UN Security Council will convene by the end of the week to discuss the walkie-talkie explosions in Lebanon.

The Hezbollah Walkie-Talkie Explosions

The carnage in Lebanon has escalated dramatically, as yet another wave of explosions has targeted Hezbollah fighters, this time through thousands of walkie-talkies rigged with explosives. Coming just a day after the infamous pager blasts, which killed and injured thousands, the walkie-talkie detonations have left nine dead and hundreds wounded, further destabilizing a region already on the brink of catastrophe.

As smoke plumes filled the skies of Beirut and southern Lebanon, the second wave of explosions shook the nation. Witnesses and security sources reported that the detonations were triggered almost simultaneously, targeting Hezbollah fighters and even mourners at a funeral for three members killed in the previous day’s pager explosions.

The devices that exploded were walkie-talkies—standard tools of communication that had been part of Hezbollah’s emergency communication network. Security sources confirmed that these devices were purchased around the same time as the compromised pagers. Hezbollah, which had been using them in its military preparations against Israel, never suspected that these devices would be used against their own fighters.

“We never thought our communication tools could be turned into weapons against us,” a Hezbollah survivor of the explosion commented, standing amidst the wreckage. The coordinated attack is being hailed as one of the most significant breaches of Hezbollah’s security infrastructure.

The Aftermath and Widening Carnage

The death toll from the walkie-talkie explosions was smaller than the previous day’s pager blasts, but the psychological impact was equally devastating. With three dead and hundreds injured, including mourners at a funeral, the explosions caused chaos across Lebanon’s south and Beirut.

Hospitals in the capital, already overwhelmed by the mass casualties from the pager blasts, were pushed beyond their limits. Medical staff worked around the clock as aid organizations scrambled to deliver supplies to a nation teetering on the edge of a humanitarian crisis.

This latest incident follows a series of Israeli military operations and cross-border skirmishes that have heightened tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. While Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the attacks, officials in Lebanon and Hezbollah leadership have labeled the explosions as acts of mass murder orchestrated by Israeli intelligence.