Lebanon reels from new explosions: 20 more killed, 450 injured

At least 20 fatalities and 450 injuries have been reported in Lebanon following a fresh round of explosions on September 18.

The blasts, caused by wireless devices, rocked the southern regions, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Beirut, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Among the victims were ten Hezbollah members, confirmed by the group.

Following reports of exploding devices, security personnel at Beirut's Rafiq Hariri International Airport had their walkie-talkies confiscated.

This latest round of attacks follows the deadly explosions on September 17, which claimed the lives of at least 12 civilians and injured over 2,800 people. Around 460 of the injured were in critical condition and required surgery, according to Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad. Many victims suffered severe eye, facial, hand, and finger injuries.

Speculation is rife that Israel was behind the September 17 explosions, where devices containing 1 to 2 ounces of explosives were detonated. Hezbollah has launched a "security and scientific investigation" into the attacks and holds Israel accountable for what it called "criminal aggression."

Hezbollah, which lost 11 members in the earlier blasts, vowed retaliation, continuing its support for Gaza amidst ongoing hostilities. Civilians, including an 8-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy, were also among the dead.

Hezbollah members in Syria were also targeted on Tuesday, with at least 14 people injured, according to the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Among those affected was Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani, who was injured in the pager explosions. Amani later expressed solidarity with the Lebanese people, referring to the attacks as a "horrific terrorist crime."

These incidents have heightened fears of a broader escalation in the long-running Israel-Hezbollah conflict, which has been simmering since the group's involvement in Hamas’ war with Israel. Cross-border clashes, rocket attacks, and Israeli strikes have persisted throughout the conflict, raising concerns about a wider military confrontation along the Israel-Lebanon border. Many Israelis in the border regions have already evacuated due to the intensifying violence.

by Tamilla Hasanova