Escalation in Lebanon: Nasrallah Decries Explosions as War Crimes Amid Heightened Tensions
In a recent address, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah described a series of deadly explosions in Lebanon as catastrophic events, labeling them 'mass destruction war crimes' and a clear declaration of war. He stated that such an extensive assault had never before occurred in Lebanon, nor on a scale potentially seen globally. Nasrallah accused Israel of significantly overstepping its bounds with these aggressive actions; however, he did not specify any plan for retaliation or further responses during his speech. He acknowledged the need for a reassessment of the current situation, asserting that attacks along the Lebanese-Israeli border would persist as long as hostilities in Gaza continue.
The recent violent exchanges have sparked profound fears of a significant retaliation from Hezbollah toward Israel. On Thursday, both sides reported ongoing reciprocal attacks, with the Israeli military conducting airstrikes on Hezbollah positions throughout Lebanon, targeting a purported weapons depot, and Hezbollah claiming to have attacked Israeli positions, leading to reported casualties. According to Israeli media, at least eight individuals were injured in northern Israel due to rocket fire from Lebanon, with an additional two injured in a drone strike from the northern border.
Concerning the recent explosions, which occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday and have resulted in rising fatalities, there has yet to be an official comment from Israel. Lebanese security officials have laid blame on the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, for orchestrating these incidents. A former Israeli military officer spoke to the Wall Street Journal, suggesting that the explosions were likely attempts to pressure Hezbollah to halt its cross-border activities.
The toll of these tragic incidents has escalated, with acting Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad reporting that the death toll has reached 37. On Wednesday alone, 25 individuals lost their lives, while approximately 3,000 others sustained injuries across the two days. The explosions were caused by devices, including pagers and walkietalkies, which exploded in various locations, with the latter being notably larger, leading to more severe injuries on Wednesday. Earlier numbers suggested around 2,800 injuries had occurred on Tuesday, but this was later corrected, revealing 2,323 injuries that day, with 608 on Wednesday.
The walkietalkies that detonated appear similar to the Icom ICV82 model; however, the manufacturer confirmed that production of these devices ceased back in 2014, raising questions about how such explosive devices could have been made to mimic their products. Icom CEO Yoshiki Enomoto clarified that it was not possible for a bomb to have been embedded in devices during manufacturing.
Given the alarming trend of violence, the Lebanese government has implemented a ban on the transport of walkietalkies and pagers on airplanes, as concerns mount over the potential for further attacks. The Lebanese civil aviation authority announced that these devices will be confiscated at the airport in Beirut until further notice, instructing airlines to alert travelers about the restrictions.
Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the UN Security Council has called for an emergency meeting this Friday. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized the need for restraint among the conflicting parties, cautioning that continued tit-for-tat attacks will not lead the region toward peace. Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, following the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, the clashes between Israel and Hezbollah have intensified, leading thousands of Israelis to evacuate the border areas and seek refuge in makeshift accommodations. Hezbollah has reiterated that it will only halt its attacks if Israel agrees to a ceasefire with Hamas.
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