Pager explosions have targeted Hezbollah militants across Lebanon, killing at least nine people and injuring around 3,000 others.
Hezbollah reportedly uses pagers – radio devices that can display short messages – to avoid being tracked via mobile phone signal.
The group, which Australia lists as a terrorist organisation, has blamed the attack on Israel, vowing a series of retaliatory strikes in response.
Israel has not officially commented on the explosions.
Hezbollah
Hezbollah is derived from the Arabic term ‘Hizb Allah’, which translates to ‘Party of God’. The group is based in Lebanon and receives funding and training from Iran.
Since Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on 7 October, Hezbollah has pledged support to Hamas.
Last October, Hezbollah declared to Hamas: “Our souls are with you. Our history and our guns and our rockets are with you.”
Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel have escalated since 7 October.
There have been multiple cross-border attacks. The United Nations estimates more than 200,000 people have been displaced in the region around the Israeli-Lebanon border.
Over the past four months, Israel’s strikes on Lebanon have killed some senior Hezbollah figures.
The UN and the U.S. have repeatedly warned both Hezbollah and Israel against escalating the regional conflict.
Pagers
Pagers are wireless devices that can display short messages.
Each pager has its own code, like a phone number. When a person wants to get in contact with someone with a pager, they send a message to this code. The message is transmitted via radio waves.
The recipient’s pager then displays the message, or the phone number of the person who wants to get in contact with them.
Hezbollah has reportedly been relying on pagers to avoid location tracking.
The New York Times has cited unnamed officials who say Hezbollah had recently ordered a large package of pagers from Taiwan.
These unnamed officials suggest Israel coordinated explosives being built into these devices.
Israel has not commented on the matter.
Explosions
Hezbollah said the pager explosions occurred all at once, appearing to target members of the group.
Lebanon’s health ministry say nine people have been killed in the attack, and at least 2,750 others were injured.
Hezbollah confirmed two members of its group and a young girl had been killed. The Iranian ambassador to Beirut was also injured.
In a statement, the group said it holds Israel “fully responsible” for the attack.
Reaction
Shortly before the pagers exploded, Israel said it was expanding its war goals to focus on Hezbollah.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric described the attacks as “extremely concerning”.
“We cannot underscore enough the risks of escalation in Lebanon and in the region,” he said.
White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said the U.S. was “concerned”, and repeated calls for de-escalation.
