A Day of Mourning Turned to Chaos
As crowds gathered to mourn victims of Tuesday’s attacks, an explosion rocked Dahiyeh, a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut. Panic ensued as the second wave of explosions targeted walkie-talkies, creating chaos just before funerals for victims, including an 11-year-old boy.
The Weaponization of Pagers
In a sophisticated strike, thousands of pagers distributed by Hezbollah exploded simultaneously. These devices, rigged with explosives, detonated as users received messages they believed were from Hezbollah. The attack resulted in 12 deaths and around 2,800 injuries. Lebanese officials reported that 20 people had died overall, with significant property damage.
The devices had been distributed by Hezbollah in response to fears that smartphones were being used by Israeli intelligence to track and target the group’s members. However, the attack may have exposed a significant breach in Hezbollah’s communication network, fueling suspicions of Israeli involvement, although Israel has not commented on the incident. Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate, while Lebanon remains in shock.
The Human Toll and Medical Horror
The devastation was immense, with at least 60% of the injured suffering severe eye damage, many losing fingers or even hands. A local physician described it as the worst day of his career, with patients suffering from brain and facial damage in addition to their eye injuries. The human toll was unbearable, especially for families affected by the loss of young children.
Growing Fears of Escalation
Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel have been escalating for nearly a year, with Hezbollah launching attacks in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Despite Lebanon’s fragile state, ravaged by an ongoing economic crisis, many fear this new wave of violence could spiral into an all-out war. Lebanese citizens are torn between mourning their losses and bracing for further conflict.
As Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, prepares to make a public statement, many await to see if the group will intensify its actions or seek a more measured response. (Foreign Media)
