More than one thousand casualties are reported in the coordinated explosions of radio pagers held by Hezbollah operatives and other senior officials in Lebanon. Israel is assumed to be behind the operation. The Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon was also injured. Israeli cyberattack suspected in coordinated blasts across Beirut and southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa valley, injuring hundreds of Hezbollah members

A series of coordinated explosions struck Lebanon on September 17, targeting Hezbollah operatives across key areas, including Beirut’s southern suburbs, Tyre, and the Beqaa Valley. The explosions reportedly detonated pagers carried by Hezbollah members, leaving hundreds wounded, with some reports indicating over 1000 casualties. Lebanese state media and Hezbollah-linked sources quickly pointed to Israel as the likely orchestrator of the attack.

The Lebanese Ministry of Health issued an urgent directive for citizens to discard pagers and wireless communication devices, while hospitals were placed on high alert to manage the surge of casualties. “All hospitals, especially in southern Lebanon, have been advised to prepare for a significant influx of patients,” a spokesperson for the ministry said. Emergency rooms were soon overwhelmed, with reports of patients suffering severe injuries to their hands and limbs.

The Attack: A Cyber-Infiltration?

Although Hezbollah has not officially commented, several sources close to the group suggested that Israel had hacked into the pager communication system used by its members, setting off the devices remotely. Videos circulating on social media showed the aftermath of the explosions, with scenes of chaos in Beirut’s Hezbollah-controlled Dahia neighborhood. Footage depicted injured individuals lying on the streets, many clutching the areas where their pagers had detonated.

“The enemy stands behind this security incident,” said one Hezbollah official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation. The official added that the pagers were a recent acquisition by Hezbollah, believed to be more secure, but the explosion of these devices indicated a significant breach of security.

Pro-Hezbollah journalist Ali Shoaib, writing on X (formerly Twitter), called for immediate blood donations in southern Lebanon, urging health professionals to assist in managing the crisis. “Medical staff, nurses, doctors, and anyone working in the health sector are required to go to the government hospital in Nabatieh for assistance,” he tweeted, highlighting the severity of the situation.

The Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon was also reported injured.

Israel’s Involvement: Denials and Silence

While no Israeli official has confirmed responsibility, speculation is widespread that this was an Israeli cyber operation aimed at disrupting Hezbollah’s communication networks. The Israeli military has maintained a strict “no comment” policy on the matter, as it often does regarding sensitive covert operations. However, Israeli defense experts have long warned of Hezbollah’s reliance on outdated communication technology, such as pagers, which could easily be exploited by more advanced cyber capabilities.

This attack comes amidst heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The border region between Lebanon and Israel has seen near-daily exchanges of fire over the past 11 months, with Hezbollah attempting to pressure Israel by supporting Hamas in Gaza. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had previously warned his fighters against using cell phones, citing the risk of Israeli tracking, but the reliance on pagers appears to have left the group equally vulnerable.

A New Front in the Israel-Hezbollah Conflict

The detonation of pagers signals a new front in the long-standing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. Experts believe this may mark an escalation in Israel’s strategy to undermine Hezbollah’s operational capacity. The cyber element of the attack is seen as a bold move, suggesting that Israel’s intelligence capabilities have penetrated deeper into Hezbollah’s infrastructure than previously known.

Lebanese security officials have also expressed concern about the broader implications of this attack. “This operation has the potential to destabilize not only Hezbollah’s military capabilities but also Lebanon’s overall security environment,” said a Lebanese intelligence source. “The precision and scope of the explosions indicate a level of sophistication rarely seen in such operations.” The Lebanese government has called for an investigation, though it remains unclear how much cooperation they will receive from Hezbollah, which has traditionally operated with a high degree of independence from state authorities.

The situation continues to develop, with Hezbollah calling on its members to avoid using any communication devices, fearing that cell phones may also be vulnerable to similar attacks. The Lebanese Health Ministry’s warnings to the public about using wireless devices suggest a broader concern that Israel’s cyber capabilities could extend beyond just targeting Hezbollah.We will update here as further details become known.