On September 17 and 18, 2024, a coordinated series of attacks involving explosive devices concealed within pagers and walkie-talkies struck Hezbollah members across Lebanon and Syria. These attacks, attributed to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, resulted in at least 42 deaths and over 3,500 injuries, marking one of the most significant security breaches for Hezbollah since the onset of the Israel–Hezbollah conflict in October 2023.

The explosions occurred around 3:30 PM local time on both days, with pagers emitting a sound to encourage users to pick them up, followed by detonation upon activation. The devices were distributed by Hezbollah and were intended for secure communication.

Casualties and Injuries

At least 42 individuals, including 12 civilians and 30 Hezbollah members, were killed. Among the casualties were at least two children and two health workers.

Over 3,500 people were injured, with many requiring surgical interventions with numerous cases of amputations, particularly involving hands and faces, due to the nature of the explosions. Several victims suffered severe ocular trauma, with some losing vision in one or both eyes.

Approximately 3,000 individuals were hospitalized due to injuries from the explosions. Over 400 surgical procedures were performed, primarily addressing severe facial, ocular, and hand injuries.

Hospital Response and Management

Lebanon's healthcare system, already under strain from previous crises, faced overwhelming pressure during this event. Approximately 150 hospitals across the country received victims, leading to chaotic scenes in emergency departments. Hospitals in Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley were particularly affected.

Despite the challenges, the Ministry of Health commended the healthcare sector's preparedness and effective response. Medical professionals managed to provide care to those in need, especially for those with serious injuries.

Psychological Impact:

The traumatic nature of the injuries and the scale of the event had lasting psychological effects on both survivors and healthcare workers.

International Reactions

The international community condemned the attacks as violations of international law. The United Nations and human rights organizations called for investigations into the incident. Israel did not officially comment on the attacks, but the incident has been widely attributed to Israeli intelligence operations. Wikipédia

This unprecedented use of everyday communication devices as weapons has raised concerns about the evolving nature of warfare and the targeting of civilian infrastructure.