Lebanese media reported that at least 500 people were wounded on Wednesday as another round of explosions rang out throughout the country at midday.
Axios started to report significant details about Israel’s involvement in the attack, while The Jerusalem Post (which also has extensive Western sources) has also been able to independently confirm large aspects of details related to the attack.
Nine people had been killed, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
According to Reuters, citing a Lebanese security official, those wounded sustained wounds primarily to the stomach and hands.
The Lebanese Health Ministry issued a statement earlier saying 14 people were killed, and over 450 were wounded.
The Lebanese Civil Defense later stated it was operating to extinguish the fires that had broken out following the explosions in some 60 shops and homes, 15 vehicles, motorcycles, and two fingerprint devices. It added that ambulances were transferring the wounded to hospitals throughout the country.
Initial vague reports of networked devices exploding came in from Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and throughout Lebanon.
If true, this would be the second consecutive day of potential sabotage and explosions in Lebanon after around 3,000 mostly members of Hezbollah were wounded by exploding beepers on Tuesday.
According to the reports, the explosions occurred at and in parallel to the funeral of four Hezbollah members in Lebanon. The funeral was live-streamed on X but ended abruptly.
Unofficial reports claimed that iPhones, video cameras, IC-V82 radios, and other devices also detonated.
According to unconfirmed reports, Hezbollah has told its operatives to distance itself from communication devices.
Unofficial reports also claimed that Hezbollah told its members to dispose of devices containing a lithium battery or that are connected to the internet.
Additional unconfirmed reports claimed that lithium batteries for solar energy storage had detonated and that some houses were on fire.
Reuters later quoted senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine as saying the terror group was in a “new phase” and a “punishment is certainly coming.
Reuters also added, according to a security source, that the hand-held radios via which the explosions reportedly occurred were bought by Hezbollah five months ago at the same time as the pagers.
Lebanese state media claimed that drones and aircraft were seen flying above western and central Lebanon during the explosions.
Locals stop, attack a UNIFIL vehicle in Lebanon, September 18, 2024. (Via x/ Section 27A of the copyright act).
According to later reports in Lebanon, local residents allegedly attacked UNIFIL vehicles throughout the country.
Israeli media reported later on Wednesday that the Israel Air Force was carrying out strikes in southern Lebanon.
Accusing Israel
Hezbollah has accused Israel of being the saboteur, with Jerusalem staying publicly silent on the issue, but with several foreign media outlets reporting that the Mossad and IDF intelligence were behind it, and with The Post independently confirming significant aspects of the saga.
This is a developing story.
Comments are closed.