Hezbollah on Wednesday vowed retribution against Israel following a series of deadly explosions across Lebanon.
“We hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression,” the group said in a statement on Tuesday, adding that Israel “will certainly receive its just punishment for this sinful aggression”.
The attacks targeted hundreds of paging devices used by Hezbollah members, resulting in simultaneous detonations.
On Wednesday, the group issued a new statement on Telegram, vowing to persist in its support for Gaza and reaffirming its commitment to avenging the blasts from Tuesday.
“This path is ongoing and separate from the difficult reckoning that the criminal enemy must await for its massacre on Tuesday,” the group said in a statement on Telegram.
The explosions, which killed nine people—including the 10-year-old daughter of a Hezbollah member—and injured approximately 2,800 others, prompted Hezbollah to hold Israel responsible for the “criminal aggression.”
Hours before the explosions, Israel announced an expansion of its military objectives to include Hezbollah in its ongoing conflict with Hamas, which began with the October 7 attacks.
Hezbollah’s response was immediate; the group declared its intention to continue supporting Gaza and seek vengeance for the attacks.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is scheduled to address the situation in a speech on Thursday at 5:00 pm local time.
The explosions, described as likely involving concealed plastic explosives along with lithium batteries, overwhelmed hospitals in Hezbollah’s strongholds.
“This was more than lithium batteries being forced into override,” said Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute.
“A small plastic explosive was almost certainly concealed alongside the battery, for remote detonation via a call or page.”
Israel’s spy agency “Mossad infiltrated the supply chain”, he said.
A significant influx of casualties led to makeshift treatment areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs, where medical staff struggled to manage the crisis.
Among the deceased was the young daughter of a Hezbollah member, and a son of Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Ammar was also confirmed dead. Iranian ambassador to Lebanon was wounded but is reportedly recovering.
The blasts have raised concerns about the security of Hezbollah’s communications, already under threat from recent targeted airstrikes.
The pagers, believed to have been sabotaged, were imported from Taiwan and Hungary. Following the attacks, major airlines like Lufthansa and Air France suspended flights to Tel Aviv, Tehran, and Beirut.
In the wake of the blasts, Israel’s focus shifted to Hezbollah along its northern border, broadening its military campaign which initially targeted Hamas. This escalation has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with hundreds of fighters in Lebanon and dozens of Israeli soldiers killed. The conflict has also displaced tens of thousands.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in the region to revive stalled ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Efforts to broker a truce have faced delays and frustrations, particularly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s insistence on maintaining a military presence on the Gaza-Egypt border.
The conflict, ignited by the October 7 attack on southern Israel, has resulted in significant casualties and hostilities. The UN General Assembly is debating a resolution demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, though Israel has condemned the resolution as “disgraceful.”
