In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict, the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, condemned recent Israeli attacks on the group's communications infrastructure. The explosions, which targeted pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah operatives, left at least 37 dead and over 3,000 injured across Lebanon. Nasrallah has vowed retaliation, branding the attacks as “a declaration of war”.
Read full original story:- Hezbollah Pager Explosions in Lebanon: Blaming Israel's MOSSAD, At Least 9 Killed & Nearly 3000 Injured.
The violence, occurring on Tuesday and Wednesday, sent shockwaves across Lebanon. Pagers exploded in crowded markets, hospitals, pharmacies, and even homes, killing civilians, including two children. Nasrallah's Thursday speech, broadcast from a secret location, came amid renewed Israeli airstrikes, underscoring the increasingly volatile situation in the region.
Unprecedented Security Breach
The explosions mark one of the most severe breaches in Hezbollah’s security since its founding. “Yes, we were subjected to a huge and severe blow”, Nasrallah said during his televised address. The militant group had previously taken itself on its tight security measures, and the coordinated attacks have prompted widespread speculation that Israeli intelligence operatives were behind the blasts.
Security sources believe that the devices were tampered with by Israeli agents before they were delivered to Hezbollah, possibly months ago. The explosions have crippled Hezbollah’s communications network, sowing fear and chaos among both operatives and civilians alike.
Israel Remains Silent, but Actions Speak
While Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the attacks, security experts suggest the operation was likely carried out by Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency, known for its sophisticated foreign operations. On Thursday, Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes across southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. The Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, declared the start of a "new phase" in the war, emphasizing Israel's commitment to escalating military action against Hezbollah.
"Our goal is to ensure the safe return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes", Gallant stated, referring to the thousands of Israeli citizens who have been displaced by Hezbollah’s missile strikes. "As time goes by, Hezbollah will pay an increasing price".
Retaliation Promised, but All-Out War Avoided—For Now
Despite the heavy losses suffered by Hezbollah, Nasrallah attempted to downplay the group’s vulnerability, assuring his followers that Hezbollah remains unshaken. “We cannot be broken by this blow, no matter how big or strong it is”, Nasrallah asserted. However, he acknowledged that the attacks crossed all “red lines”, a term often used to signal retaliation.
Iran, Hezbollah’s primary backer, has also expressed outrage over the attacks. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Commander, Hossein Salami, promised a “crushing response” from the so-called “axis of resistance,” which includes Hezbollah, Hamas, and other regional militant groups.
Escalating Tensions Raise Fears of a Two-Front War
The attacks have intensified concerns that Israel is now facing a two-front war. Since the start of its conflict with Hamas in Gaza on October 7, Israel has been trading near-daily fire with Hezbollah along its northern border. Over 500 people, including Hezbollah fighters and Lebanese civilians, have been killed in Lebanon since October, while in northern Israel, the death toll includes 23 soldiers and 26 civilians.
As international diplomatic efforts struggle to contain the violence, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other world leaders urging restraint, the risk of a full-scale regional conflict looms large. Nasrallah's vow to continue missile strikes against Israel until the war in Gaza ends has fueled speculation that Lebanon could soon be engulfed in a broader military confrontation.
Humanitarian Toll: Hospitals Overwhelmed
Lebanese hospitals have been inundated with casualties from the blasts. Health Minister Firas Abiad praised the resilience of Lebanon’s healthcare system, stating that hospitals managed to treat thousands of injured within hours, despite the severity of the attacks. Many victims suffered traumatic injuries, including severe burns, serious wounds and limb amputations.
“These blasts were an indiscriminate attack on civilians”, Abiad said. “It was a war crime”.
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International Concerns: A Wider Regional Conflict?
As tensions between Hezbollah and Israel escalate, global leaders are scrambling to prevent the violence from spiraling into a larger conflict. Turkey has accused Israel of seeking to expand the war in Gaza into Lebanon, while the United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire.
Israel’s airstrikes on Thursday were accompanied by fresh drone attacks from Hezbollah, hitting three Israeli military positions near the border. Two Israeli soldiers were killed in the strikes, adding to the mounting death toll on both sides.
In the face of growing international pressure, both Israel and Hezbollah have so far avoided all-out war. However, with neither side willing to back down, and with Hezbollah pledging continued missile strikes, the specter of a regional conflict seems ever closer.
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