Hundreds of handheld pagers detonated across Lebanon and parts of Syria, causing multiple fatalities and thousands of injuries, according to officials. Among the deceased were members of Hezbollah, along with a young girl, while over 4000 people were wounded. The explosions, which began around 3:45 p.m. local time and continued for about an hour, also left many people severely injured. Hezbollah, which uses the pagers for communication, blamed Israel for the attacks, though the Israeli military declined to comment when approached by both the Associated Press and Reuters.

According to Iranian state media, Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was slightly wounded and is being treated at a hospital. A Hezbollah official, who spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity, said the explosions were part of a “security operation” targeting the pagers. Witnesses described seeing victims lying on the pavement, many with injuries to their hands or pockets, where the devices were carried. This attack took place amid rising tensions between Lebanon and Israel, with both sides exchanging fire in recent weeks following Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.

Lebanese officials condemned the incident, labeling it a “deliberate Israeli escalation.” Reuters reported that the pager detonations are seen as part of Israel’s larger strategy to expand the conflict beyond Gaza and into Lebanon. As ceasefire talks in Gaza remain stalled, the risk of the conflict widening into a regional war continues to grow, with international efforts focused on preventing further escalation.