Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah Acknowledges Devastating Blows from Explosions

[Suyuti]

In a significant revelation, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah admitted that the militant group faced an unprecedented setback due to a series of explosions that targeted thousands of their communication devices across Lebanon.

The blasts, which Hezbollah attributes to Israeli sabotage, resulted in 37 fatalities and nearly 3,000 injuries, marking a substantial escalation in the ongoing conflict.

Delivering a defiant speech after the attacks, Nasrallah warned Israel of severe consequences, describing the explosions as a possible "act of war." He vowed that Israel would face "just punishment," stressing that retribution would come both where Israel expects and where it does not.

Israel-Lebanon Tensions Surge Amid Deadly Attacks

The blasts, which Nasrallah condemned as a "massacre," have sparked fear across Lebanon. The attacks, spread over two days, hit Hezbollah's communication devices, including pagers and walkie-talkies, causing widespread chaos. Although Israel has not officially commented on the incidents, experts suggest they bear the hallmark of Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency.

The situation on the Israel-Lebanon border, already tense due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, has been further aggravated by these latest developments. Since Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces have been near-daily occurrences. The violence has already claimed hundreds of lives, including militants and civilians on both sides of the border.

Nasrallah's Warning to Israel and the Unfolding Conflict

In his address, Nasrallah declared that Hezbollah's resistance would not cease until a truce is established in Gaza. He issued a stern warning to Israeli officials, noting that efforts to return displaced northern Israeli residents to their homes would fail. "No military escalation or all-out war can bring them back to the border," he stated.

Israel, meanwhile, has ramped up its military operations, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announcing a shift in focus towards the northern front with Lebanon. Elite Israeli forces, previously concentrated in Gaza, have now been redeployed to bolster defenses along the Lebanese border. Israeli warplanes have been conducting airstrikes in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions.

Explosions Disrupt Hezbollah Communications, Spark Widespread Panic

The explosions, which detonated Hezbollah's pagers and walkie-talkies, caused havoc not just among fighters but also among civilians connected to Hezbollah's broader social network. On Tuesday, over 5,000 pagers exploded simultaneously, killing 12 people, including two children, and injuring over 2,300 others. The following day, explosions from walkie-talkies resulted in an additional 25 deaths and hundreds more injuries.

The Lebanese army responded by conducting controlled detonations of suspicious devices across various regions. Authorities also implemented a ban on pagers and walkie-talkies at Beirut airport, preventing their transport on flights and shipments.

Regional Implications and International Reactions

The attacks have drawn international concern, with the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemning the blasts as a "terror attack" that inflicted heavy civilian casualties. He criticized the indiscriminate nature of the explosions, which caused severe injuries and overwhelmed hospitals.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati appealed to the UN Security Council, urging it to intervene and halt what he described as Israel's "technological war" on Lebanon. Israel, for its part, maintains that its actions are part of a broader regional confrontation with Iran, which supports both Hezbollah and Hamas.

Hezbollah's Retaliation and Future Prospects

Despite the chaos caused by the blasts, Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate against Israel. On Thursday, the group launched missile strikes on northern Israel, continuing the cycle of violence that has characterized the region since the October 7 attacks. Israeli airstrikes targeted southern Lebanon in response, as both sides remain locked in an escalating conflict.

While full-scale war has so far been avoided, the situation remains highly volatile. With tens of thousands displaced and both Hezbollah and Israel intensifying their military activities, the potential for a wider regional conflict looms large.

Nasrallah's speech underscored Hezbollah's determination to maintain pressure on Israel, warning of more devastating attacks if Israeli aggression continues. Meanwhile, the Lebanese population remains on edge, fearing further escalation in a conflict that shows no signs of abating.