Residents Alarmed By Mysterious Attacks On Smartphones In Lebanon

Lebanon’s residents are gripped with fear following explosive attacks on mobile devices allegedly orchestrated by Israel.

At a Glance

Two waves of sophisticated, deadly attacks in Lebanon targeted Hezbollah members using electronic devices.
The first wave on Tuesday involved pagers exploding, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries.
The second wave on Wednesday caused further devastation at a funeral, escalating fears.
Speculations suggest Israel is behind the attacks, though no official comment has been made.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah condemned the attacks and vowed continued resistance.

Unprecedented Attacks Shake Lebanon

A wave of explosive attacks on mobile communication devices has left Lebanon in turmoil. Numerous incidents over two days have resulted in casualties and widespread injuries. Sophisticated attacks targeted various devices, including pagers and walkie-talkies, with explosive elements embedded in them.

The first wave occurred on Tuesday when pagers exploded, killing at least 12 people and wounding thousands. The horrific event sent shockwaves through the nation, leading to an atmosphere of paranoia and fear.

I’m deeply alarmed by reports that a large number of communication devices exploded across Lebanon & Syria, killing at least 11 people, including children, and injuring thousands.

All actors must exercise maximum restraint to avert any further escalation.

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 18, 2024

Second Wave Deepens Crisis

A second wave of detonations on Wednesday further exacerbated the crisis, notably during a funeral. This attack killed at least 25 people and wounded over 600. This series of attacks has intensified concerns about the potential for more compromised devices and their impact on civilians.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has condemned the attacks, vowing continued resistance despite the severe blows. The devices’ sophistication and the coordination required for these attacks hint at extensive planning, possibly spanning several months to years.

BREAKING: Hezbollah’s radios explode in a second wave of remote detonated attacks across Lebanon.

For a group that thrives on fear, they’re getting a taste of their own medicine.

This marks another massive security breach against Hezbollah, with sources claiming this second… pic.twitter.com/m9tRYuLbYJ

— Hank ™ (@HANKonX) September 18, 2024

Residents in Constant Fear

Residents are living in constant fear, with many unplugging electronic devices to avoid potential detonations. The situation is unprecedented, causing widespread panic. Witnesses have reported smoke and small explosions from people’s pockets. Hezbollah’s use of pagers to avoid location-tracking by Israel underscores the severity of these attacks.

“We know that Israel has a precedent of using technology to track its target,” said Prof. Simon Mabon, chair in International Relations at Lancaster University, before calling the scale of this attack “unprecedented.”

Responding to the damage, experts emphasize the magnitude of the crisis. The situation is further complicated by accusations and denials from various international firms alleged to have manufactured the explosive devices.

Efforts to address the crisis continue, but until the threat from these compromised devices is eliminated, fear will persist in Lebanon’s streets.