Walkie talkies reportedly explode across Lebanon, killing 14—one day after Hezbollah pager explosions

Hand-held radios used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon on Wednesday, multiple outlets reported, killing at least 14 people and injuring 450 others, according to the Lebanese government—a day after at least 12 people were killed when pagers belonging to Hezbollah members detonated.

There are reports of up to 20 explosions in the southern suburbs of Beirut and up to 20 more in southern Lebanon, Lebanese security officials told CNN.

Lebanon’s National News Agency also reported some explosions originated from solar energy systems installed on homes in several areas, according to the Associated Press.

Hezbollah purchased the hand-held radios about five months ago, roughly the same time they acquired the pagers, a security source told Reuters.

The walkie-talkies are less widely used than the pagers that exploded on Tuesday because they were only distributed among those who helped organize crowds for funerals and marches, CNN reported.

In a post on X, the Lebanese Army cautioned citizens against gathering in areas to help medical teams arrive.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement he is “deeply alarmed” by reports of explosions across Lebanon and Syria, urging “all concerned actors to exercise maximum restraint to avert any further escalation.”

Whether Israel—a major Hezbollah foe whose conflict with the group has escalated in recent months—was responsible for the explosions. In Tuesday’s attacks, U.S. and other officials believe Israel implanted explosives in the pagers before they reached Hezbollah, The New York Times reports, though Israel’s military has not commented.

Israeli officials notified the U.S. they would carry out an unspecified operation in Lebanon that day, three sources familiar with the matter told CNN. Hezbollah reportedly blamed Israel “for this criminal aggression that also harmed civilians and caused deaths and injuries.”

Lebanese officials said Tuesday at least 12 people, including one member of Hezbollah and one young girl, were killed after hundreds of wireless devices exploded across Lebanon and Syria at the same time. The explosions lasted for about an hour and injured about 2,750 others.

The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has escalated in recent months, after Hezbollah struck the Israeli military along the Lebanon border a day after the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel in October, a move Hezbollah said was intended to show “solidarity” with the Palestinian people.

The U.S. warned Israel against escalating the conflict amid concerns fighting would expand beyond Gaza. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that while Israel “appreciates and respects” support from the U.S., it will do “what is necessary to safeguard its security.” (Source: Forbes)