New device explosions reported in Lebanon a day after Hezbollah pagers explode

Beirut, Lebanon — A source close to Lebanon’s Hezbollah group said walkie talkies used by group members exploded in its Beirut stronghold on Wednesday, with state media reporting similar blasts of pagers and “devices” in east and south Lebanon. The reports came a day after thousands of pagers carried by Hezbollah members exploded nearly simultaneously, killing at least 12 people including two children, according to Lebanon’s public health minister.

“A number of walkie talkies exploded in Beirut’s southern suburbs,” the source said, with Hezbollah-affiliated rescuers confirming devices had exploded inside two cars in the area. The Associated Press cited Lebanon’s health ministry as saying more than 100 people were wounded by exploding electronic devices in various parts of the country on Wednesday.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said pagers and “devices” had also exploded in Hezbollah strongholds in the east and south, with AFP correspondents also reporting hearing explosions.

Israeli officials have issued no public comments on the blasts in Lebanon, but a U.S. official told the AP on Tuesday that Israeli authorities had briefed American officials on the operation after Tuesday’s pager explosions. Lebanese officials and Hezbollah quickly blamed Israel for the widespread attack on Tuesday, and Iranian-backed Hezbollah has vowed to take revenge. 

A spokesman for the U.S. military and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have said the U.S. had no prior knowledge of any plans to detonate communications devices in Lebanon and no role in the operation.  

This breaking news story will be updated.