Hundreds of pagers blew up at the same time across Lebanon yesterday in an apparent operation against Hezbollah.
Israel hid small amounts of explosives in the pagers, which were made in Taiwan, before they were imported into Lebanon, U.S. and other officials said. At 3:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, the pagers received a message that appeared as though it was coming from Hezbollah’s leadership. Instead, the message activated the explosives.
At least 11 people, including a young girl, were killed, and more than 2,700 were injured, the country’s health minister said. Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon was also wounded, and Hezbollah said that at least eight of its fighters had been killed. The Israeli military has not commented or claimed responsibility.
Witnesses reported seeing smoke coming from people’s pockets, followed by small blasts. Videos showed people being knocked off their feet. A doctor who visited hospitals where some of the wounded were taken said so many people had suffered wounds to their eyes that there was a shortage of eye surgeons.
What’s next: Lebanon’s foreign minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, said the country was bracing for a major retaliation by Hezbollah.
In Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to be considering firing his defense minister, Yoav Gallant.
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