The number of people killed after Tuesday’s (17th) pager attack in Lebanon has risen to 12, including children, according to the country’s health minister. The previous tally reported eight dead in the incident.
Approximately 300 people remain severely injured, said Firass Abiad, the health minister.
Hospital staff performed 460 surgeries, mainly on the eyes and faces of the victims, with many also treated for hand injuries, he added.
An 8-year-old girl was among those killed in the explosions, and at least 170 people are in critical condition after the pagers used by Hezbollah exploded almost simultaneously.
Also on Wednesday (18th), Hezbollah vowed retaliation against Israel following the wave of pager explosions across Lebanon targeting the militant group.
The unprecedented attack risks further escalating tensions in the Middle East, already heightened since Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza. It also highlights Hezbollah’s vulnerability and follows a series of targeted assassinations of its commanders.
Here’s what we know so far:
- Israel is to blame: Tictacnews learned that the attack was a joint operation between Israel’s intelligence service, Mossad, and the Israeli army. The Lebanese government condemned the attack as “Israeli criminal aggression.” Israel declined to comment publicly on the explosions. Iran also blamed what it called “Israeli terrorism.”
- Who made the pagers? Gold Apollo said the AR-924 pagers, which carried the company’s branding, were manufactured by a distributor based in Hungary: BAC Consulting KFT. Taiwan has no record of Gold Apollo pagers being shipped to Lebanon or the Middle East, a senior Taiwanese security official told Tictacnews.
- How the pagers exploded: Israel planted explosives next to the battery in each pager, along with a switch for remote detonation, according to the New York Times, citing U.S. and other international officials.
- Iranian ambassador injured: Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was among those injured in Beirut, along with two embassy staff members, according to Iranian state media. Amani sustained a minor injury and is under observation at the hospital, Iranian state media IRNA reported, citing his wife.
- Medical assistance: Jordan announced it was ready to provide “any necessary medical assistance to Lebanon’s health sector to treat thousands of injured Lebanese citizens.”
- Patient surge: Hospitals across Lebanon are racing to treat thousands injured in the wave of pager explosions. Around 200 people remain in critical condition, requiring surgery or intensive care.
- US denies involvement: U.S. officials said they were not aware of the attack in advance.
- Flight disruptions: Air France and Lufthansa suspended flights to Tel Aviv until at least Thursday (19th). Air France is also suspending flights to Beirut until Thursday.
