A second round of exploding devices used by Hezbollah has rocked south Lebanon late Wednesday afternoon.
At least one funeral for those killed in the pager explosions Tuesday had reportedly just gotten underway when the latest explosions occurred.
#BREAKING The hand-held radios were purchased by Hezbollah five months ago, around same time as the pagers: security source told Reuters pic.twitter.com/AFaBRXeVwY
— Guy Elster (@guyelster) September 18, 2024
Lebanon's health ministry said that the second wave has so far killed at least nine people and injured more than 300, as reported by the New York Times.
Images and videos shared to X (formerly Twitter) show buildings on fire, reportedly a result of the exploded communications devices.
⚡️⭕️ Reports now in #Lebanon indicate that new explosions have also occurred in phones, laptops, radios and regular devices.
— Middle East Observer (@ME_Observer_) September 18, 2024
Many residential buildings are on fire pic.twitter.com/e3zuzcv8Wu
The devices that exploded were confirmed to be walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members, a senior Lebanese official and a Hezbollah official, who asked to remain anonymous, told NYT.
Hezbollah radios/walkie talkies are reportedly exploding in Lebanon today. pic.twitter.com/gO0gJ5LfY3
— Aleph א (@no_itsmyturn) September 18, 2024
The Lebanese Red Cross said on X at least 30 ambulance teams had been dispatched to "multiple explosions" in south and east Lebanon.
Moments after another explosion ripped through the crowds in Dahiye, #beirut during a funeral procession. Widespread fear. A walkie talkie exploded, people said. I watched a man collapse on the road as I stood on a balcony above the main road. #lebanon pic.twitter.com/nBZnCcpPKc
— Stefanie Glinski (@stephglinski) September 18, 2024
A security source and witness told Reuters that at least one of the blasts took place near a funeral for one of the Hezbollah members killed in Tuesday's explosions.
The walkie-talkies were reportedly bought by Hezbollah about five months ago, around the same time the pagers that exploded Tuesday were bought, a security source told Reuters.
Yoav Gallant, Israel's defense minister, said in a statement that the "center of gravity" of the country's war is "moving north," referring to Israel's northern border with Lebanon. However, he did not explicitly claim Israeli responsibility for the explosions.
Thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah fighters exploded simultaneously Tuesday in Lebanon, injuring more than 2,8000 and killing at least 12. Israel did not immediately take credit for the attack, however officials have threatened to take heavier action against the group.
This story is developing.
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