Deadly Radio Blast: Hezbollah’s Walkie-Talkies Turned into Lethal Bombs, Claiming 20 Lives and Injuring Hundreds in Lebanon
Deadly Explosions Rock Lebanon as Tensions Escalate with Israel
September 19, 2024
A series of deadly explosions rocked Lebanon on September 18, killing at least 20 people and injuring over 450, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The blasts occurred in the suburbs of the capital Beirut and the Bekaa Valley.
The explosions were caused by the detonation of handheld walkie-talkies used by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. This incident comes a day after thousands of Hezbollah pagers exploded across Lebanon, injuring many fighters.
Israeli officials have not commented on the bombings, but security sources attribute the attacks to the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. A Hezbollah cadre described the incident as the largest security breach in the group’s history.
The actions have sparked fears of an escalation on the Lebanese border and raised the risk of a full-blown regional war. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated, “We are beginning a new phase of the war. This requires our courage, determination, and perseverance.”
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi accused Israel of dangerously escalating tensions on many fronts and pushing the Middle East to the brink of regional war.
The United States has denied involvement in the bombings and is stepping up diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict from escalating. A U.S. official stated that Israel informed Washington of its plans to take action in Lebanon, but provided no details.
Hezbollah members were seen hurriedly removing batteries from undetonated walkie-talkies and disposing of them in metal barrels. The group has turned to low-tech communication devices such as pagers to circumvent Israeli surveillance of mobile phones.
The Lebanese Red Cross sent 30 rescue teams to multiple explosion sites in different areas, including southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.
Photos of the exploded walkie-talkies show ICOM and “Made in Japan” logos on them. The model of the intercom in the photo appears to be the IC-V82, which was discontinued by ICOM in 2014.
A security source revealed that the handheld walkie-talkies were purchased by Hezbollah five months ago, around the same time as the pagers.
Related Topics
- Lebanon
- Israel
- Hezbollah
- Middle East Conflict