Explosions of Hezbollah Radios Leave Hundreds Injured Amid Tensions with Israel
This story was updated to add new information.
LONDON − Additional reports indicate that hundreds of individuals were injured in Lebanon on Wednesday following a resurgence of explosions linked to communication devices utilized by Hezbollah, according to various media sources.
The Lebanese National News Agency reported that these explosions involved the group’s walkie-talkies and pagers, with several occurring within homes in Beirut and at least one during a funeral.
The recent surge of violence has resulted in at least nine fatalities and 300 injuries, adding to the toll from the previous day’s incidents, which left 12 dead and thousands wounded.
Earlier in the day, various reports claimed that Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency had embedded small explosive materials in Hezbollah’s pagers, which detonated across Lebanon on Tuesday.
The coordinated blasts on Tuesday were triggered by hand-held communication devices while people were going about their daily routines—shopping, dining, or driving—creating chaotic scenes filled with bloodshed.
Security sources informed Reuters that Hezbollah had procured these hand-held radios five months ago, coinciding with the time they acquired the pagers.
The Lebanese government, along with Hezbollah—a militant group sponsored by Iran, based in Beirut—has accused Israel of orchestrating the attack that injured nearly 3,000 individuals, many of whom are thought to be Hezbollah’s operatives who prefer these pagers for their covert nature.
Israel has not made any public statements regarding the explosions or speculated about the perpetrators.
However, Israeli and American intelligence sources confirmed to Reuters and The New York Times that Israel executed the operation by concealing explosive materials within imported batches of pagers to Lebanon.
The New York Times reported that Hezbollah had ordered the pagers from a Taiwanese company called Gold Apollo.
Gold Apollo issued a statement denying involvement in the manufacture of the devices, stating they only licensed their brand to BAC Consulting KFT, a Hungarian firm.
According to Hsu Ching-kuang, founder and president of Gold Apollo, “The product was not ours; it merely carried our brand.” This statement was communicated during a press gathering in New Taipei City, Taiwan, reported by Reuters.
BAC Consulting KFT, presumably based in Budapest, Hungary, was unreachable for immediate comments, and its website seemed unavailable on Wednesday. The Hungarian government stated that the company possesses no production or operational facilities within Hungary.
Several sources disclosed to Reuters that the Israeli operation was planned over several months, and that the devices were altered during their production phase. Roughly 3,000 pagers triggered detonations simultaneously when a specific coded message activated the explosives, according to reports, which YSL News could not independently verify.
Since Hamas’s attacks on October 7, 2023, Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in near-daily retaliatory strikes as Hezbollah stands in support of its allied group in Gaza. Israel has continued targeted assassinations of senior Hezbollah figures in Lebanon. Many residents in northern Israel near the Lebanese border have evacuated their homes due to the ongoing conflict, as Israel asserts its commitment to ensuring their safe return.
“Hezbollah aims to avert a full-scale war. Yet, given the current situation and its repercussions on families and civilians, there may be growing pressure for a decisive reaction,” stated Mohanad Hage Ali from the Carnegie Middle East Center. On Wednesday, Hezbollah confirmed carrying out offensive actions against Israeli artillery positions using rockets.