Foreign Affairs

Hundreds Of Hezbollah Terrorists Were Carrying Comms Devices — Israel Allegedly Made Them All Explode Remotely

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Screen Capture/IsraeliPM)

Hundreds of Hezbollah terrorists were reportedly injured in separate explosions across Lebanon on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.

The widespread detonation was the result of thousands of the terrorists’ communication and “wireless” devices suddenly exploding in Lebanon and Syria, according to Reuters. Though it’s still unclear who was behind the attack, it comes a day after Israel warned that it was considering taking new actions against an increasingly aggressive Hezbollah.

Israel and Hezbollah have since been engaged in cross-fire skirmishes that have only grown more frequent and sizable since Oct. 7, the date Hamas attacked Israel and started a regional war. The Israeli Defense Minister reportedly told a U.S. envoy on Monday that the time for a diplomatic solution had “passed because Hezbollah continues to tie itself to Hamas and refuses to end the conflict,” according to Axios.

It was the “biggest security breach” Hezbollah has experienced since it started engaging with Israel last year, a senior Hezbollah commander told Reuters. A current total of 2,800 people, including terrorists, are believed to be injured or killed, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Footage of communication pagers worn by Hezbollah members exploding across Lebanon.

Unprecedented incident. https://t.co/gf37usZrxC pic.twitter.com/5VNZKzxEbi

— Faytuks News (@Faytuks) September 17, 2024

At least 12 people were killed in the surprise attack, according to the WSJ. Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon was reportedly injured in one of the explosions, according to The Jerusalem Post.

In one video, an individual can be seen inside what appears to be a grocery store before a satchel he was carrying explodes. In another video, a person seen inside a store places what appears to be a wireless device on a counter before he is blown back by a similar explosion.

Explosions were still reportedly taking place a half hour after the initial detonations, according to Reuters.

Dozens of ambulances were mobilized to respond to the “multiple bombings,” the Lebanese Red Cross said, according to the Times. Civilians were asked not to use similar devices until further notice.

The Israeli prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated.