Hand-held Radios Explode Across Lebanon Day After Pager Attack

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Facts

  • A day after pagers used by Hezbollah members to communicate exploded across Lebanon, hand-held radios used by the group exploded in Beirut's southern suburbs, the Bekaa Valley, and the country's south on Wednesday, killing at least 14 people and injuring 450, according to Lebanon's health ministry.[1][2]
  • Though the details of the attacks are still unclear, Axios reported on Tuesday that Israel told the US it carried out the pager attack out of concern Hezbollah had become aware of the booby-trapped devices. The initial attack killed 12 people, including two children, and nearly 3K. Israel's military hasn't issued a statement on the explosions.[3][1]
  • Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Tuesday that a 'new phase' of the war had begun, praising the work of Israel’s army and security agencies. Gallant didn't comment on the attacks in Lebanon but said, 'The results are very impressive.' Gallant added that Israel's focus was shifting north.[4]
  • The head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council, Hashem Safieddine, said that the group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, would speak about the attacks on Thursday and vowed that Israel would be 'uniquely punished.' He added that the group was 'not beaten' and would 'not break.'[5]
  • US Sec. of State Antony Blinken indicated during his 10th visit to the region since the war began that the attacks in Lebanon could 'derail' Gaza cease-fire negotiations that are underway in Egypt. Egypt's foreign minister said that the attack 'doesn’t only hinder the current talks, but also risks getting into a full-scale war.'[6]
  • Concurrently, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted on Wednesday in favor of a resolution that called for Israel to withdraw from Palestinian territories. The resolution also urged member states to stop importing products originating in Israeli settlements and to suspend arms sales to Israel.[7]

Sources: [1]Reuters, [2]Associated Press (a), [3]Axios, [4]Al Jazeera, [5]Timesofisrael, [6]Associated Press (b) and [7]Guardian.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by New York Times. Though the pager attack was a precise operation, any escalation in the region is counterproductive to cease-fire negotiations and the freeing of Israeli hostages. Israel has a right to defend itself from terrorist threats, but it is paramount that the country's leadership prioritizes de-escalation.
  • Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Jerusalem Post. Though Israel has not taken credit for this well-planned operation, it should demonstrate to Hezbollah and its patrons in Tehran that it cannot withstand an Israeli assault. The group's highly-trained and well-equipped ranks have been thrown into chaos, and its vulnerability has never been so clear.
  • Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Middle East Eye. Israel continues to isolate itself internationally due to its genocidal campaign in Gaza and its insidious aggression against Lebanon. As Israeli attacks kill thousands, the US continues to shield it from accountability and ensure that it is armed to the teeth. This war will only end when the US ends its support for Israel's genocidal ambitions in Gaza and the wider region.
  • Narrative D, as provided by Almayadeen. This attack against Lebanon is a clear example of Israeli terrorism in the region and its disregard for human life. Both Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah will investigate the security failures that led to this attack, and a response is guaranteed. Hezbollah is ready and able to defend Lebanon from Israeli aggression.