Lebanon Crisis : 14 Dead, Hundreds Injured in Explosions Linked to Hezbollah Radios

Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed that 14 people were killed and 450 injured on Wednesday after hand-held radios used by Hezbollah exploded. Similar blasts involving pagers on Tuesday resulted in 12 deaths, including two children, and nearly 3,000 injuries.

The Lebanese Red Cross, via X, reported deploying 30 ambulance teams across multiple locations. Hezbollah, initially disoriented by the attacks, retaliated by launching rockets at Israeli artillery positions, marking its first strike against Israel since the explosions. These incidents have raised fears of a broader Middle East conflict. According to security sources, the radios and pagers, bought five months ago, were rigged with explosives by Israeli intelligence. Israeli authorities have not commented on the matter.

Meanwhile, U.S. diplomatic efforts are ongoing to de-escalate tensions, while Iran vowed to investigate a separate attack targeting its ambassador in Lebanon.