WALKIE-TALKIES YESTERDAY, FRIDGES TOMORROW? LEBANON RESIDENTS FACE NEW FEARS OF EXPLODING DEVICES

Lebanon is in the grip of panic following a second wave of deadly explosions targeting Hezbollah’s communication devices. Just one day after hundreds of pagers detonated simultaneously across the country, a new round of explosions rocked Lebanon, leaving at least 26 people dead and thousands injured. The devices, believed to have been tampered with, were vital to Hezbollah operations and have been widely used by the militant group. The coordinated nature of the attacks, targeting pagers, walkie-talkies, laptops, and even solar panels, has heightened tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, who are engaged in long-standing hostilities.

Devices Detonated Across Lebanon

According to reports from Al Jazeera, the explosions involved "portable two-way radios, laptops, and even certain solar power setups." These devices were in widespread use by Hezbollah operatives, and their detonation across Lebanon caused chaos and fear. Some vehicles were also reportedly engulfed in flames, though it remains unclear whether the explosions came from the cars themselves or from objects inside them. Civilians have been particularly affected, as the blasts targeted not only Hezbollah strongholds but also shops, homes, and hospitals, causing significant civilian casualties.

Also Read: How Israel built a modern-day Trojan horse: Exploding pagers and walkie-talkies

Israel Blamed for Mossad-Led Operation

The sophistication of the operation has led to widespread speculation that Israel is behind the attacks. Lebanese media and security experts have pointed the finger at Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency. A report from Reuters claimed that Mossad orchestrated the detonation of pagers through a complex operation that took months of preparation. According to the report, explosives were likely hidden within pagers long before they reached Hezbollah's hands, having been tampered with during their supply chain journey. "Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, was behind serial explosions in pagers," the Reuters report noted, though definitive proof has yet to surface.

Gold Apollo, a Taiwanese company that manufactures pagers, revealed that it had authorized BAC Consulting KFT, a firm based in Hungary, to use its name on pagers sent to Hezbollah. However, Zoltán Kovács, spokesperson for the Hungarian government, stated, "The pagers delivered to Hezbollah never entered Hungary." He further disclosed that BAC Consulting acted merely as a mediator and was not involved in handling the devices. Kovács also mentioned on social media that Hungary's national security services are cooperating with international partners to investigate the matter.

Also Read: 20 dead, hundreds injured after walkie-talkie blasts following pager attack in Lebanon; Here's what we know so far

Impact on Civilians and Fear of More Explosions

The explosions have left Lebanon in turmoil, not just due to the number of casualties but because they have sown widespread panic. Civilians are now terrified that everyday devices could explode at any moment, making daily life fraught with fear. "There are wild rumors doing the rounds that solar panels might explode, batteries, fridges – anything," wrote journalist Hassan Harfoush in The Daily Mail. He added, "I even told my parents to get a fire extinguisher, just in case something blows up in the house." Harfoush described the horror scenes in Lebanon as "fleshless faces, eyes hanging out" and a pervasive sense of insecurity.

Residents have begun taking drastic measures to protect themselves, throwing out electronic devices and tearing the batteries out of walkie-talkies, fearing they could be rigged with explosives. In some cases, people have unplugged home appliances, even turning off Wi-Fi routers, out of concern that these everyday objects could pose a threat.

Also Read: Will make it so difficult that terrorists will be afraid to go to the toilet: Watch Israeli Chief of Staff's warning to Hezbollah

Hospitals Struggling to Cope

Lebanon's healthcare system is struggling to cope with the influx of casualties. Hospitals, especially in Beirut, have been overwhelmed with patients suffering severe injuries, particularly shrapnel wounds. "In the last 24 hours, we’ve had more than 60 to 70 percent of patients needing at least one eye removed," said Dr. Elias Warrak, an ophthalmologist at Mount Lebanon University Hospital. The injuries have been gruesome, with many victims suffering life-altering damage to their faces, hands, and eyes.

The chaos extends beyond the hospitals, as even funerals for victims of the first wave of explosions have been disrupted by more blasts. According to Daily Mail, panic ensued at a funeral when walkie-talkies detonated during the ceremony. Ambulances rushed to the scene, while "Hezbollah officials present behaved as if nothing had happened," Harfoush recalled. This ongoing wave of violence has shattered any semblance of normalcy in Lebanon.

Widespread Investigation and Security Measures

The Lebanese army has been deployed to manage the crisis and conduct controlled detonations of suspicious devices. Soldiers have been tasked with identifying and neutralizing compromised devices, but the sheer number of electronic items in circulation makes the task difficult. At one point, security forces detonated a bag of rice at the American University of Beirut Medical Centre, suspecting it might have been rigged with explosives.

Many of the devices, particularly walkie-talkies and pagers, bore labels like "ICOM" and "Made in Japan." While these devices appeared to be from Japanese electronics manufacturer ICOM, the company has denied any involvement. "The specific models used in the attacks were discontinued in 2014," ICOM stated. Taiwanese manufacturer Gold Apollo also distanced itself from the attacks, claiming that its products were licensed to BAC Consulting, which acted as an intermediary in the transactions.

Hezbollah Vows Retaliation

With Hezbollah now vowing to retaliate against Israel, tensions in the region are set to escalate. Iran, a close ally and backer of Hezbollah, has condemned the attacks and blamed Israel. Iran has vowed retribution, adding another layer of volatility to the already fraught situation. In response, Israel has signaled that it is only beginning its "new phase" of conflict with Hezbollah, leading many to fear that a broader regional conflict could be on the horizon.

A New Phase in the Hezbollah-Israel Conflict

The blasts have not only caused loss of life but have exposed Hezbollah’s vulnerabilities in a way few anticipated. Hezbollah, which has long maintained a grip on parts of Lebanon, now faces the grim reality that its once-secure communication systems have been infiltrated. "People used to think that if they were affiliated with Hezbollah but not fighters, they were safe. But this changes everything," said a Hezbollah source, according to local reports.

With Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah expected to deliver a public address in the coming days, the group’s plans for retaliation could shift the dynamics of the conflict. Meanwhile, Israel has remained largely silent, but defense minister Yoav Gallant warned that the conflict is far from over.

As fears of further attacks grow, Lebanon’s civilians are left wondering if any electronic device could be the next to explode, living in a constant state of anxiety as the specter of a full-scale regional war looms ever closer.