The death toll from Tuesday’s (17) pager attack in Lebanon has risen to 12, including children, the country’s health minister said. The previous toll was eight dead.
About 300 people remain seriously injured, Firass Abiad said.
Hospital staff performed 460 operations, mainly on eyes and faces, with many also treating hand injuries, he added.
An 8-year-old girl was among those killed in the blasts, and at least 170 people are in critical condition after pagers used by Hezbollah exploded almost simultaneously.
Also on Wednesday (18), Hezbollah vowed to retaliate against Israel after a wave of pager explosions across Lebanon targeting the militant group.
The unprecedented attack risks further escalating tensions in the Middle East, already heightened by Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza. It also highlights Hezbollah’s vulnerability and follows a series of targeted assassinations against its commanders.
Here’s what we know:
Israel is guilty : the CNN learned that the attack was a joint operation between Israel’s intelligence service, the Mossad, and the Israeli military. The Lebanese government condemned the attack as “criminal Israeli aggression.” Israel has refused to comment publicly on the blasts. Iran has also blamed what it called “Israeli terrorism.”
Who made the pagers? Gold Apollo said the AR-924 model pagers, which bore the company’s brand name, were made by a Hungary-based distributor: BAC Consulting KFT. Taiwan has no record of Gold Apollo pagers being shipped to Lebanon or the Middle East, a senior Taiwanese security official told CNN .
How pagers exploded : Israel planted explosives next to the battery in each pager, as well as a switch for remote detonation, the New York Times reported, citing U.S. and foreign officials.
Iranian ambassador injured : Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was among those injured in Beirut, along with two embassy staff, according to Iranian state media. Amani has a superficial wound and is under observation in hospital, state media IRNA reported, citing his wife.
Medical assistance: Jordan said it would be ready to provide “any necessary medical assistance to the Lebanese medical sector to treat thousands of Lebanese citizens who were injured.”
Increase in patients: Hospitals across Lebanon are racing to treat thousands of people injured in the wave of pager explosions. About 200 people are in critical condition, requiring surgery or admission to intensive care units.
US says it is not involved : U.S. officials said they were not aware of the attack in advance.
Disrupted flights: Air France and Lufthansa have suspended flights to Tel Aviv until at least Thursday (19). Air France is also suspending flights to Beirut until Thursday.
This content was originally published in Death toll from pager attack rises to 12, says Lebanese health minister on CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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