Death Toll In Targeted Device Explosion In Lebanon Rises To 37

Targeted device explosions in Lebanon killed 37 and inflicted injuries to more than 3000 on Tuesday and Wednesday, Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad said on Thursday.

The blasts is new development in the 11-months clash between Hezbollah and Israel.

Tuesday’s explosions claimed 12 lives and injured 2,323, with 226 still hospitalized, Abiad announced. Wednesday’s toll stands at 25 dead and 608 injured. A total of 64 hospitals received the injured, Xinhua news agency reported.

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In response, Lebanon’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has banned airlines from transporting pager or walkie-talkie devices on flights into Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport.

The explosions come amid escalating tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, sparked by Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on Israel on October 8, 2023, in support of Hamas. Israel has retaliated with artillery fire into Lebanon, resulting in hundreds of deaths.

Hezbollah attributed the explosions to Israel, but Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, have not claimed responsibility. Gallant addressed Israeli troops on Wednesday, stating that Israel has entered a “new phase” in its conflict with Hezbollah.

The ongoing clashes have seen deadly Israeli airstrikes and Hezbollah’s attacks on northern Israel. The situation remains volatile, with concerns of further escalation.