Iran (IMNA) - According to the latest update from the Lebanese health ministry, at least nine people have died and 2,800 others have been injured in the blasts, which were first reported in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
"Patients are being transferred to different governorates in Lebanon as hospitals in southern Lebanon have exceeded their capacity," the ministry stated. Among those killed are a 9-year-old girl named Fatima Jafar Abdullah and Mahdi Ammar, the son of a lawmaker affiliated with Hezbollah.
Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, is also among the injured. His wife confirmed his injury on social media but noted that his condition is stable.
Reports indicate that individuals carrying pagers noticed them heating up before the explosions occurred. Israeli forces are reportedly on high alert, anticipating a response from Hezbollah. Preliminary investigations suggest that the blasts may have been caused by a remote cyber attack orchestrated by Israel amid heightened tensions.
Footage shared on social media showed the wounded being transported to hospitals in Beirut and southern Lebanon, with many people gathering outside hospitals to assist the injured.
Hezbollah has stated that after examining all facts and available information about the attacks, they hold Israel "fully responsible for this criminal aggression that also targeted civilians." The group emphasized that their martyrs and wounded symbolize their struggle and sacrifices.
In earlier statements, Hezbollah reported at least three fatalities from the pager explosions and numerous injuries. The movement indicated that relevant authorities are conducting security and scientific investigations to determine the causes of these simultaneous explosions.
The Lebanese health ministry has urged all medical personnel in Beirut and southern Lebanon to remain on alert and respond to all emergency medical cases. It has also advised pager owners to dispose of their devices immediately.
Lebanon’s Minister of Health, Firas Abiad, stated earlier that the number of injured was in the “hundreds” with some fatalities resulting from the explosions. While there has been no immediate comment from the Israeli military regarding Tuesday's attacks, reports suggest that officials have been advised to remain silent.
Israel has been engaged in ongoing exchanges of fire with Hezbollah since October 2023, following its military campaign against Gaza after Hamas's Operation Al-Aqsa Storm. Experts believe that Israel's recent actions reflect desperation as it faces military setbacks.
Condemnations have poured in against Tuesday's mass pager explosions from Palestinian resistance groups and Yemen's Ansarullah. In a phone call with his Lebanese counterpart, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the Israeli attack targeting Lebanese civilians and expressed Iran's readiness to assist in treating the wounded or transferring them to Tehran.
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