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Second Wave of Explosions Kills 20 in Lebanon, Stoking Fears of War
A second wave of device explosions in Lebanon has resulted in the death of at least 20 people and left hundreds more wounded, officials confirmed on September 18, sparking concerns of escalating conflict in the region.
According to reports from a security source and a witness, Hizballah, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, stated that walkie-talkies used by its members blew up in its stronghold in Beirut. State media also reported similar blasts in other parts of southern and eastern Lebanon.
The explosions occurred near a funeral for victims of the previous day’s attacks, where thousands of pagers used by the group detonated, resulting in 12 fatalities and over 2,700 injuries, including many Hizballah fighters.
The Lebanese Health Ministry identified the devices targeted in the September 18 attack as walkie-talkies and later updated the death toll to 20, with more than 450 individuals wounded.
Hamas, another designated terrorist organization by the US and the EU, pointed fingers at Israel for the recent blasts, accusing them of destabilizing the region. Hizballah and the Lebanese government also laid blame on Israel for what seemed to be a well-coordinated remote attack.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant addressed Israeli troops on September 18, indicating a new phase in the ongoing conflict. Despite not directly acknowledging the exploding devices, Gallant commended the efforts of Israel’s military and security forces, emphasizing the need for courage and perseverance.
Hizballah retaliated by launching rockets at Israeli artillery positions following the initial explosions from the pagers.
In response to the escalating tensions, the White House cautioned against further escalation, advocating for diplomatic solutions to prevent the conflict from spreading to Lebanon.
As the situation unfolds, the UN Security Council is set to convene on September 20 to address the recent events, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning of the severe risk of a significant escalation in Lebanon. Guterres stressed the importance of avoiding the militarization of civilian objects and urged all parties to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation.
The international community closely monitors the situation in Lebanon, with the hope of preventing further violence and finding peaceful resolutions to the ongoing conflict.
