New Delhi: A second wave of explosions widely believed to be engineered by Israel – this time of hand-held radios used by the Lebanese group Hezbollah – has killed at least 20 people and injured 450 others.
While these are official figures, some reports have it that 32 are dead and 3,250, hurt.
A day ago, on September 18, pagers were made to explode across Lebanon, killing 12 people, including two children. According to Reuters, 3,000 were injured.
The pagers and radios were both understood to be in use by Hezbollah. The group had taken to the use of older technology primarily to avert Israeli surveillance of hi-tech gadgets.
Reports have noted that one of the latest explosions took place near a funeral organised by Hezbollah for those killed the day before.
Reuters has quoted security sources as having said that Israel’s spy agency Mossad was responsible for the attacks.
While Israel has not clearly taken responsibility for these attacks, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said a day ago that its war was entering a new stage.
“The centre of gravity is moving northward. Resources are being allocated…We are opening a new phase in the war — it requires courage, determination and perseverance from us,” he said.
The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to meet tomorrow, September 20, over the pager blasts.
