Beirut: Coordinated attacks across Lebanon targeted communication devices, resulting in devastating consequences. In the latest attacks, at least 20 people lost their lives and over 450 were injured, the Health Ministry said, according to a report by the Associated Press(AP). Walkie-talkies and solar equipment exploded in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon on Wednesday in an apparent second wave of attacks targeting devices. This attack came a day after pagers used by Hezbollah blew up, as reported by state media and officials for the militant group.
The latest attack comes just a day after 12 people were killed and more than 2800 others were wounded in a coordinated explosion of pagers in Lebanon.
Following two days of explosions targeting communication devices across Lebanon, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said that Israel has entered a “new phase” in its conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant declared the start of a “new phase” in the war. He emphasized that the focus is now on the northern arena. Taking to X(previously Twitter), Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said,” We are at the start of a new phase in the war – we are allocating resources and forces to the northern arena and our mission is clear: ensuring the safe return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes. To do so, the security situation must be changed.”
We are at the start of a new phase in the war – we are allocating resources and forces to the northern arena and our mission is clear: ensuring the safe return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes. To do so, the security situation must be changed. pic.twitter.com/Hy2sD1jnq9
— יואב גלנט – Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) September 18, 2024
The attacks — which were widely believed to be carried out by Israel targeting Hezbollah but have also killed civilians — have hiked fears that the two sides’ simmering conflict could escalate into all-out war, AP reported. “In a conversation with the Air Force personnel at the Ramat David base, I emphasized: We are opening a new phase in the war, the center of gravity is shifting to the north through the diversion of forces and resources, in order to meet our goals – the return of the residents of the north to their homes after the change in the security situation,” Gallant said.
Gallant further added, “I told the pilots and the technical teams that at this stage we require determination, courage and adherence to the mission with full cooperation – between all the security bodies and at all levels.”
As per a CNN report, dozens of ambulances on Wednesday crews from the Lebanese Red Cross worked to rescue and evacuate those who were wounded after walkie-talkie explosions in Lebanon. Over 30 teams of Lebanese Red Cross emergency medics were working in southern Lebanon, the southern suburbs of Beirut and central Beqaa valley. In addition, 50 ambulance crews were on alert in Mount Lebanon and Beirut to help in evacuation efforts.
The Lebanese Civil Defence had said it was working to contain fires in 60 houses and shops that started after the walkie-talkies exploding, including one in a lithium battery shop. As many as 15 cars and dozens of motorcycles caught fire and two fingerprint devices in the Nebatieh Governorate. Earlier on Tuesday, the Lebanese Ministry of Health directed health workers to urgently report to work considering the “large number of injured people being transferred to hospitals” after the pager explosions, CNN reported. Officials have also urged people to donate blood in anticipation of increased need.
Hezbollah had blamed Israel for the pager explosions on Tuesday and pledged retribution. Meanwhile, Lebanese officials urged people who possess pagers to discard them.
(With Agencies Inputs)
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