Beirut. A series of explosions from pagers used by Hezbollah members rocked Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday, killing at least nine people—including an 8-year-old girl—and injuring thousands. Hezbollah and the Lebanese government have accused Israel of orchestrating what appears to be a remote-controlled attack.

According to a US official, Israel informed the US about the operation after it was completed. The explosions, triggered by small amounts of explosive concealed in pagers, were reportedly carried out by Israel, though the Israeli military declined to comment.

Among the injured was Iran's ambassador to Lebanon. The attacks occurred amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which have seen ongoing exchanges of fire since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Gaza.

Mass Pager Explosions in Lebanon: Hezbollah Suspects Israeli Cyber Attack

Hezbollah had acquired the pagers following an order to stop using cellphones, which were deemed trackable by Israeli intelligence. The pagers, a new model, had been in use since February.

The explosions began around 3:30 p.m. local time, causing chaos as pagers in pockets and hands exploded, leaving scenes of bloodshed and panic. The blasts primarily targeted areas with a strong Hezbollah presence, including southern Beirut, the Beqaa region, and Damascus.

The attacks followed an earlier report of Israel thwarting a Hezbollah plot to assassinate a former Israeli security official using a remote-detonated device.

The US State Department stated it was unaware of the incident beforehand and is currently gathering information. Experts suggest the attack involved sophisticated planning, possibly infiltrating the supply chain to rig the pagers with explosives.

Footage showed a man at a grocery store being thrown to the ground by a pager explosion, with wounded victims arriving at overwhelmed hospitals with severe injuries.

Lebanon's health minister reported nine dead and about 2,750 wounded, including 200 critically. Hezbollah confirmed at least two members died, including the son of a Hezbollah parliament member. The group has vowed retaliation against Israel.

Iranian state media reported that Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was slightly injured.

Experts believe the pagers were rigged before delivery, with a small explosive charge triggered by an error message sent to all devices. This mechanism ensured the user was present when the device detonated.

Israel has a history of carrying out operations beyond its borders, including previous attacks with booby-trapped cellphones and the Stuxnet virus targeting Iran's nuclear program.

The pager explosions may heighten Hezbollah's concerns over security and communications as tensions with Israel continue. UN special coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert condemned the attack as a troubling escalation in an already volatile situation.

On Tuesday, Israel declared that stopping Hezbollah's northern attacks is now a primary war goal, with Defense Minister Gallant signaling a shift in focus from Gaza to northern Israel and a diminishing chance for diplomatic resolution.

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