Hezbollah threatens retaliation against Israel over pager explosions in Lebanon

Hezbollah has warned Israel of retaliation following the explosion of pagers used by its members in Lebanon. The Iran-backed group blames Israel for the blasts, which occurred in multiple cities, including Beirut. This has raised concerns about a larger conflict spreading across the region, particularly along the Lebanon-Israel border.

Since the Gaza war began in October, Hezbollah and Israeli forces have been exchanging fire. The recent pager explosions have heightened fears that tensions could escalate, with the United States being seen as a key player in the conflict.

The United Nations has expressed concern about the situation, calling it "volatile." U.S. officials have suggested that Israel may have conducted the operation, hiding explosives inside the pagers. However, the U.S.

State Department stated they have no involvement and do not know who is responsible.

The explosions, which took place around 3:30 PM local time, killed at least 11 people, including a child, and injured about 2,750 others. Among the injured was Iran’s ambassador to Beirut, who sustained minor injuries.

Hezbollah called the explosions "Israel's criminal aggression" and said it holds Israel fully responsible. The group mentioned that the pagers that exploded were used by its various units, but they did not specify how the blasts occurred. An unnamed Hezbollah official noted that such incidents pose a significant security threat.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned Israel, stating it violated Lebanon’s sovereignty. Health Minister Firaz Abiad described the tragic aftermath, highlighting the serious injuries suffered by many victims, including an 8-year-old girl.

A former British Army munitions expert indicated that the pagers likely contained high-grade explosives hidden in fake electronic components. The explosions likely occurred when users activated the devices.

Hezbollah fighters typically use pagers for communication, as the group has warned against using mobile phones to avoid detection by Israeli forces. Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrullah, had previously prohibited the use of smartphones, believing Isra