Beirut, Lebanon – Dozens of people, including members of the militant group Hezbollah, were injured in a series of explosions caused by pagers, security officials said on Tuesday.

The blasts, which occurred throughout Lebanon, have added another layer of tension to the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, sparking concerns over both the group’s internal security and broader regional stability.

A Mysterious Incident Sparks Tensions

According to sources within Hezbollah, the explosions were triggered by a coordinated security operation, which the group believes was orchestrated by Israel.

A Hezbollah representative, speaking to the Associated Press, alleged that Israeli forces were responsible for the incident.

“We believe this was an Israeli operation aimed at targeting our communication channels,” the representative said. However, the Israeli military has yet to comment on these claims.

The explosions, which took place across multiple locations in Lebanon, resulted in injuries to around 150 individuals, many of whom are affiliated with Hezbollah.

The exact cause of the explosions is still under investigation, but early reports suggest that lithium batteries in the pagers may have overheated, leading to the blasts.

Photos and videos circulating on social media and in local news depict injured individuals, most of them with burns or injuries to their hands and pockets where the pagers were reportedly stored.

The Lebanese Health Ministry has issued an emergency alert, urging hospitals across the country to prepare for a potential influx of patients, and advising the public to stay away from any pagers or other communication devices. Medical personnel were also cautioned against using wireless devices due to safety concerns.

Warnings from Hezbollah’s Leadership

This incident comes after a stern warning from Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, earlier this year. Nasrallah had cautioned his members against using mobile phones and other communication devices, claiming that they could be used by Israeli intelligence to track and target Hezbollah operatives.

Nasrallah’s concerns about the vulnerability of digital communication have been well-publicized, especially in light of several high-profile assassinations of Hezbollah figures, which the group attributes to Israeli forces.

While Hezbollah has adopted various forms of encrypted communication to avoid interception by Israel, the group still relies on more basic technologies like pagers, especially in remote or operationally sensitive areas. These devices, however, now appear to have become liabilities.

Explosion Details and Impact

The scale of the explosions across Lebanon suggests a deliberate targeting of the devices. The Hezbollah official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the incident as a “security operation” specifically aimed at disabling pagers.

He blamed Israel but did not provide further details on the technical or operational means by which the devices were compromised.

The explosions are believed to have occurred when members of Hezbollah and their affiliates received or attempted to activate their pagers.

Given that these devices contain lithium batteries, which can overheat and potentially explode under certain conditions, this has raised speculation about whether the batteries were tampered with or if a remote activation was involved.

Experts familiar with lithium batteries note that such explosions are not uncommon in consumer electronics, especially when the batteries are defective or subjected to extreme conditions.

Lithium fires can reach temperatures of up to 590°C, making them particularly dangerous in close proximity to people.

Escalating Conflict with Israel

The pager explosions occurred against the backdrop of increasingly violent clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.

Over the past 11 months, skirmishes along the Lebanon-Israel border have escalated into a full-fledged conflict, with both sides suffering significant casualties. Hundreds of Lebanese, including civilians, have been killed, and Israel has sustained dozens of fatalities.

Israel, which sees Hezbollah as a direct threat to its northern borders, has intensified its military campaigns in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions and infrastructure.

In recent months, Israeli airstrikes have hit several Hezbollah arms depots and command centers in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah has responded by launching rocket attacks and drone strikes into northern Israel.

The violence has led to the displacement of thousands of people on both sides of the border.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has made it a priority to halt Hezbollah’s attacks to allow displaced residents to return to their homes in the north. Hezbollah, on the other hand, continues to frame its actions as defensive, accusing Israel of aggression and attempting to rally regional support for its cause.

The incident involving the pagers could mark a new phase in the conflict, with both sides potentially turning to more covert means of undermining each other’s capabilities.

Hezbollah MP’s Son Reported Dead

As details of the incident continue to emerge, Lebanese media have reported that the son of Hezbollah Member of Parliament Ali Ammar was killed by an exploding pager.

Ammar, a prominent figure within Hezbollah’s political wing, has not yet made any public comments about the death of his son, but the loss is likely to further inflame tensions within the group and its supporters.

The death of Ammar’s son underscores the severity of the situation, as many within Lebanon view the incident as not only a military operation but also a personal attack on Hezbollah’s leadership. Should Hezbollah’s accusations against Israel be substantiated, it could lead to further escalation in the ongoing conflict.

Lebanese Authorities and Hezbollah Respond

In response to the pager explosions, the Lebanese government has urged calm and asked citizens to report any unusual devices or suspicious activity to authorities.

The Health Ministry has also been working closely with Hezbollah to manage the influx of injured individuals at hospitals.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah officials have vowed to investigate the incident fully and have promised retribution if Israeli involvement is confirmed. “This was an attack on our people and our sovereignty,” a senior Hezbollah figure stated, “and we will not let it go unanswered.”

At the same time, Nasrallah’s earlier warnings about the dangers of communication devices are likely to be revisited within the organization.

Hezbollah has long prided itself on its adaptability and security measures, but this incident has exposed potential vulnerabilities that the group may need to address more rigorously moving forward.

The Road Ahead

The explosions mark a dangerous turning point in an already fraught conflict. Whether or not Israel is responsible, the impact of the incident on Hezbollah’s internal security is undeniable. As tensions between the two sides continue to simmer, the potential for further escalation looms large.

For now, the immediate priority for Hezbollah is the care of its wounded members and the security of its communication channels. But as the conflict grinds on, both Hezbollah and Israel seem locked in a cycle of violence with no clear end in sight.