For the second consecutive day, communication devices have exploded in Lebanon, causing numerous casualties. As of now, it's unclear whether the series of blasts across various devices was an act of necessity to prevent Hezbollah from detecting them – as was reported concerning the pager explosions – or if it was part of a planned series of strikes.
Either way, the incidents are putting pressure on Hezbollah and, indirectly, on Iran, increasing the likelihood of a powerful and exceptional response against Israel. This escalation brings the possibility of a full-scale war closer.
While the IDF is prepared for such a conflict, the U.S. is doing everything it can to prevent it. A senior Israeli official remarked, "Nasrallah can stop the escalation if he agrees to the American proposal. If not, we are ready to go all the way."
Following Tuesday’s unprecedented "pager explosions" operation across Lebanon, at around 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday more blasts occurred – this time involving communication devices in several regions of Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the Beqaa Valley. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, at least 14 people have been killed and over 450 injured in the explosions of what some referred to as walkie-talkies.
Reports indicate the blasts occurred in areas including Beirut’s Dahiyeh neighborhood, Mount Lebanon, Sidon, Marjayoun, Al-Aaziya, and Sarafand in southern Lebanon, as well as Baalbek in the Beqaa Valley. Lebanon also reported explosions in numerous homes and vehicles.
The National News Agency of Lebanon simultaneously reported explosions of solar energy systems in homes across the south. Al Jazeera stated the devices that exploded were of the Icom V82 model. A security source told Reuters that the devices were handheld radios, different from the pagers that exploded yesterday. He added that Hezbollah had purchased these devices five months ago, around the same time it acquired the pagers.
The explosions of thousands of devices in Lebanon also represent a significant blow to Hezbollah’s war capabilities for a future conflict with Israel. A senior official noted that a key objective is to restore deterrence. Earlier today, senior Israeli officials indicated that part of the war strategy is to facilitate the return of residents to northern Israel, a goal added this week. "Hezbollah will pay a price for its actions," they said. "The objective is to change the balance of power."
