What's happened
On September 17, 2024, multiple pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon, resulting in at least 32 deaths and over 3,000 injuries. The blasts are suspected to be part of an Israeli operation targeting Hezbollah, raising fears of escalating conflict between the two adversaries.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, the explosions resulted in at least 32 deaths, with many victims being Hezbollah members. The article highlights the fear among Lebanese citizens, who are now suspicious of everyday devices. Business Insider UK notes that the pagers may have been tampered with to detonate upon receiving a specific message, indicating a sophisticated operation. Sky News emphasizes the embarrassment for Hezbollah, as the explosions reveal significant security breaches within the group. The Independent discusses the implications of using pagers, which Hezbollah adopted to avoid detection, and raises questions about how the devices were compromised.
How we got here
The explosions follow a series of military escalations between Israel and Hezbollah, particularly after the outbreak of conflict in Gaza in October 2023. Hezbollah had shifted to using pagers for communication to avoid detection by Israeli intelligence.
Common question
-
What caused the Hezbollah pagers to explode in Lebanon?
On September 17, 2024, a shocking incident unfolded in Lebanon as multiple pagers used by Hezbollah members detonated, leading to significant casualties and raising questions about security and international relations. This event has sparked widespread concern and speculation about its implications for the region and beyond.
More on these topics
-
Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon. Hezbollah's paramilitary wing is the Jihad Council, and its political wing is the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc party in the Lebanese parliament.
-
Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
-
Lebanon, officially known as the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lies west across the Mediterranean Sea.
-
Hassan Nasrallah is the third and current Secretary General of the Lebanese political and paramilitary party Hezbollah since his predecessor, Abbas al-Musawi, was assassinated by the Israel Defense Forces in February 1992.
-
Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
-
Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.