Hundreds were injured when handheld pagers exploded across Lebanon on Tuesday in an apparent targeting of Hezbollah members, according to a state media report.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that “the handheld pagers system was detonated using advanced technology, and dozens of injuries were reported” in Beirut’s southern suburbs and other areas. It wasn’t immediately clear if people were killed.
Among those injured when the pagers exploded included Iran’s ambassador in Lebanon, Iranian state media reported.
A security source in Lebanon told Reuters that the pagers were carried by members of Hezbollah. A Hezbollah official, speaking to the outlet on condition of anonymity, described the incident as a detonation that was the “biggest security breach” during the nearly year-long war with Israel. It wasn’t immediately clear who was responsible for the attack. While Hezbollah blamed Israel, the Israeli government has not commented.
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Civil Defense first responders carry a wounded man whose handheld pager exploded at al-Zahraa hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
“Several hundred” people were wounded in all in different parts of Lebanon when the incident happened, The Associated Press cited a Hezbollah official as saying.
People gather outside the American University hospital after the arrival of several men who were wounded by exploded handheld pagers in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday. (AP Photo/Bassam Masri)
Photos and videos from Beirut’s southern suburbs circulating on social media and in local media showed people lying on the pavement with wounds on their hands or near their pants pockets.
Hezbollah is an Islamic terrorist organization that has long had the backing of Iran.
Police officers inspect a car after a hand-held pager exploded inside the vehicle in Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between Lebanon and Israel. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Israeli forces have been clashing near-daily for more than 11 months against the backdrop of war between Israel and Hezbollah ally Hamas in Gaza.
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This is a breaking news story; check back for updates.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
