Lebanon Rocked by Explosions Amid Escalating Conflict Between Hezbollah and Israel
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Lebanon has been thrown into chaos again as a second wave of explosions rocked several parts of the country, adding fuel to the already escalating conflict with Israel. On Wednesday, walkie-talkies exploded across Beirut and other areas, leaving devastation in their wake. This comes just a day after pagers used by Hezbollah members were also targeted, resulting in deadly blasts. The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed the grim toll from these fresh attacks: 20 people dead and over 450 wounded.
Mounting Casualties and Growing Fear
These attacks, widely believed to be orchestrated by Israel, have heightened concerns of the conflict spilling over into an all-out war between Hezbollah and Israel. While the strikes appear aimed at Hezbollah targets, civilians have also become collateral damage, further amplifying the anxiety gripping Lebanon. The second wave of attacks targeted not only militants but ordinary people, igniting explosions in homes, cars, grocery stores, and cafes—places where families and bystanders were present.
Tuesday’s initial pager bombings had already resulted in significant casualties, killing at least 12 people, including two children, and injuring around 2,800. The randomness of these attacks is alarming. Although the devices were primarily used by Hezbollah members, there was no way to predict who might be holding them at the time of detonation. Many of the victims were not fighters but civilians involved in Hezbollah’s broader operations, which serve Lebanon's Shiite community. Tragically, even health workers such as doctors and paramedics who were affiliated with Hezbollah were among the casualties.
The use of booby-traps and weaponized civilian devices has drawn international criticism. Mary Ellen O’Connell, a law and peace studies professor at the University of Notre Dame, highlighted that such actions violate international law. "Weaponizing an object used by civilians is strictly prohibited," she stated, pointing to the human toll these methods impose on non-combatants.
Tuesday’s initial pager bombings had already resulted in significant casualties, killing at least 12 people, including two children, and injuring around 2,800. The randomness of these attacks is alarming. Although the devices were primarily used by Hezbollah members, there was no way to predict who might be holding them at the time of detonation. Many of the victims were not fighters but civilians involved in Hezbollah’s broader operations, which serve Lebanon's Shiite community. Tragically, even health workers such as doctors and paramedics who were affiliated with Hezbollah were among the casualties.
The use of booby-traps and weaponized civilian devices has drawn international criticism. Mary Ellen O’Connell, a law and peace studies professor at the University of Notre Dame, highlighted that such actions violate international law. "Weaponizing an object used by civilians is strictly prohibited," she stated, pointing to the human toll these methods impose on non-combatants.
Global Reactions and U.N. Involvement
The brutal nature of these attacks has led to calls for an independent investigation. U.N. human rights chief, Volker Türk, condemned the fear and terror instilled by the explosions. He urged for a thorough and impartial inquiry to uncover the facts and hold those responsible accountable.
The gravity of the situation has also prompted diplomatic reactions. An emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council was scheduled for Friday to address the escalating violence in Lebanon, following a request from Algeria, representing the Arab states.
The gravity of the situation has also prompted diplomatic reactions. An emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council was scheduled for Friday to address the escalating violence in Lebanon, following a request from Algeria, representing the Arab states.
Hezbollah and Israel’s Ongoing Conflict
Since October 8, Hezbollah has been engaged in a nearly daily exchange of fire with Israel, a conflict triggered by the deadly Hamas-led assault in southern Israel. Hundreds of lives have been lost in Lebanon due to Israeli airstrikes, and dozens of Israelis have been killed by Hezbollah rockets, further escalating the conflict. These attacks have displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border.
Hezbollah’s involvement is seen as support for its ally Hamas, a relationship that has long complicated the broader Middle East conflict. On Wednesday, Hezbollah launched strikes on northern Israel, even as Lebanon dealt with the aftermath of the pager bombings.
Israel, on the other hand, has issued several warnings about escalating its military response to Hezbollah. Israeli leaders have repeatedly emphasized the need to end the cycle of retaliatory strikes, aiming to create conditions for civilians to return to their homes near the border. As a precautionary measure, Israel has begun moving more troops to the Lebanese border, signaling that they are prepared for more intense military engagements.
The Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, addressed Israeli troops, declaring the onset of "a new phase in the war." He praised Israel's security agencies and armed forces, expressing confidence in their actions, although he did not explicitly mention the pager bombings.
Hezbollah’s involvement is seen as support for its ally Hamas, a relationship that has long complicated the broader Middle East conflict. On Wednesday, Hezbollah launched strikes on northern Israel, even as Lebanon dealt with the aftermath of the pager bombings.
Israel, on the other hand, has issued several warnings about escalating its military response to Hezbollah. Israeli leaders have repeatedly emphasized the need to end the cycle of retaliatory strikes, aiming to create conditions for civilians to return to their homes near the border. As a precautionary measure, Israel has begun moving more troops to the Lebanese border, signaling that they are prepared for more intense military engagements.
The Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, addressed Israeli troops, declaring the onset of "a new phase in the war." He praised Israel's security agencies and armed forces, expressing confidence in their actions, although he did not explicitly mention the pager bombings.
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