2024 Lebanon electronic device attacks

{{Main|Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)}}

Hezbollah was founded in 1982 by Lebanese clerics in response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.{{cite news |date=21 May 2008 |title=Who Are Hezbollah? |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4314423.stm |access-date=15 August 2008 |website=BBC News}}Sheikh Hassan Izz al-Din, Hezbollah media relations director, said, "[T]he Jews need to leave." Avi Jovisch, [https://archive.org/details/beaconofhatredin0000jori/page/72/mode/2up?view=theater Beacon of Hatred: Inside Hizballah's Al-Manar Television] (Washington, D.C.: The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 2004), pp. 62–90. qtd. by Wistrich, A Lethal Obsession, p. 774{{Cite web |date=2007 |title=Civilians under Assault: Hezbollah's Rocket Attacks on Israel in the 2006 War: Hezbollah's Justifications for Attacks on Civilian Areas |url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2007/iopt0807/7.htm |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=Human Rights Watch}} Shortly after the onset of the Gaza war in October 2023, Hezbollah joined the conflict, citing solidarity with Palestinians.{{cite news |title=Hezbollah fires on Israel after several members killed in shelling |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/9/hezbollah-fires-on-israel-after-several-members-killed-in-shelling |work=Al Jazeera |publisher=Al Jazeera English |language=en}} This quickly escalated into regular cross-border military exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel, impacting northern Israel, southern Lebanon and the Golan Heights.{{Cite web |date=8 October 2023 |title=Hezbollah bombards Israeli positions in disputed area along border with Syria's Golan Heights |url=https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-chebaa-farms-gaza-rocket-attack-cd7b26f890bf4cae32491721506ec0a1 |access-date=27 September 2024 |website=AP News |language=en}} Hezbollah said it aimed to pressure Israel by forcing it to fight on two fronts.{{Cite news |last=Stroul |first=Dana |date=23 September 2024 |title=Israel and Hezbollah Are Escalating Toward Catastrophe |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/israel/israel-and-hezbollah-are-escalating-toward-catastrophe |access-date=1 October 2024 |work=Foreign Affairs |language=en-US |issn=0015-7120}} Hezbollah has offered an immediate ceasefire should a ceasefire also happen in Gaza,{{Cite news |date=8 November 2023 |title=Hezbollah warns of regional war if Gaza bombing goes on |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-67349605 |access-date=1 October 2024 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Violence escalates between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah amid Gaza assault |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/10/violence-escalates-between-israel-and-lebanons-hezbollah-amid-gaza-assault |access-date=1 October 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} where over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, with at least half identified as women and children.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/17/gaza-publishes-identities-of-34344-palestinians-killed-in-war-with-israel|title=Gaza publishes identities of 34,344 Palestinians killed in war with Israel|last=Graham-Harrison|first=Emma|date=17 September 2024|work=The Guardian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009000124/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/17/gaza-publishes-identities-of-34344-palestinians-killed-in-war-with-israel|archive-date=9 October 2024|url-status=live|access-date=19 October 2024}} From 8 October 2023 to 20 September 2024, Hezbollah has launched 1,900 cross border attacks, and Israel has launched another 8,300.{{Cite web |title=Mapping 10,000 cross-border attacks between Israel and Lebanon |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/25/mapping-10000-cross-border-attacks-between-israel-and-lebanon |access-date=1 October 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} The fighting killed 564 in Lebanon (including 133 civilians){{Cite web |date=27 August 2024 |title=Lebanon: Flash Update #25 – Escalation of hostilities in South Lebanon, as of 23 August 2024 – Lebanon |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/lebanon-flash-update-25-escalation-hostilities-south-lebanon-23-august-2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923020751/https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/lebanon-flash-update-25-escalation-hostilities-south-lebanon-23-august-2024 |archive-date=23 September 2024 |access-date=27 August 2024 |website=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs |language=en}} and 52 in Israel (including 27 civilians), displacing entire communities in both countries, with significant damage to civilian infrastructure.{{Cite web |title=Israel-Hezbollah: Mapping the scale of damage of cross-border attacks |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv2gj544x65o |access-date=1 October 2024 |website=www.bbc.com |date=22 July 2024 |language=en-GB}}

On 10 September, the Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel was shifting its focus from Gaza to the northern border.{{cite news |title=Israel close to completing Gaza missions, focus on north, defence minister says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-close-completing-gaza-missions-focus-north-defence-minister-says-2024-09-10/ |publisher=Reuters |date=10 September 2024}} Israel's domestic security agency, Shin Bet, announced it had thwarted a Hezbollah plot to assassinate a former senior defense official using an explosive device, and The Jerusalem Post speculated that the pager explosions may have been in retaliation.{{Cite news |date=17 September 2024 |title=Israel says it thwarted Hezbollah plot to kill former defence official |first=Maayan |last=Lubell |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-says-it-thwarted-hezbollah-plot-kill-former-defence-official-2024-09-17/ |work=Reuters}}{{Cite web |date=17 September 2024 |title=Did Israel retaliate against Hezbollah for attempted assassination of ex-defense chief? – analysis |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-820540 |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919011809/https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-820540 |url-status=live }}

While popular in the late twentieth century, pagers have since largely been replaced by cell phones, except in hospitals.{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/09/18/pagers-lebanon-hezbollah-old-technology/ |newspaper= Washington Post |title= Hezbollah explosions put spotlight on old-school pagers |first= Victoria |last= Bisset |date= 18 September 2024 |access-date= 20 September 2024 |archive-date= 18 September 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240918162901/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/09/18/pagers-lebanon-hezbollah-old-technology/ |url-status= live }} Some Hezbollah members had used pagers for years before the 7 October attacks, but more members began using them after February 2024, when Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah called on members to stop using smartphones, citing Israel's capability to infiltrate them.{{Cite web |last=Reiss |first=Johnatan |date=17 September 2024 |title=Live Updates: Pagers Explode Across Lebanon in Apparent Attack on Hezbollah |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/17/world/israel-hamas-war-news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917182225/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/17/world/israel-hamas-war-news |archive-date=17 September 2024 |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=The New York Times}}{{Cite web |title=Dozens of Hezbollah members wounded after pagers explode in Lebanon |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/17/dozens-of-hezbollah-members-wounded-after-pagers-explode-in-lebanon |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920055119/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/17/dozens-of-hezbollah-members-wounded-after-pagers-explode-in-lebanon |url-status=live }} Hezbollah subsequently imported the pagers to Lebanon in the months before the explosion. Reuters was told that the explosives were not detected despite checks and the pagers were still being distributed immediately before the attack.{{Cite news|last1=Bassam|first1=Laila|last2=Gebeily|first2=Maya|date=20 September 2024|title=Exclusive: Hezbollah handed out pagers hours before blasts – even after checks|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-handed-out-pagers-hours-before-blasts-even-after-checks-2024-09-20/|work=Reuters|access-date=20 September 2024}}

Israeli agencies have previously carried out operations involving explosive communication devices—notably the assassination of Hamas operative Yahya Ayyash in 1996.{{Cite news |date=17 September 2024 |title=Do pager-bombs presage escalation between Israel and Hizbullah? |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/09/17/do-pager-bombs-presage-escalation-between-israel-and-hizbullah |access-date=18 September 2024 |newspaper=The Economist |archive-date=18 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918070206/https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/09/17/do-pager-bombs-presage-escalation-between-israel-and-hizbullah |url-status=live }}

In 2015, Mossad began planting booby-trapped walkie-talkies in Lebanon, which secretly allowed Israel to monitor Hezbollah communications while holding the option to detonate them.{{Cite news |last1=Mekhennet |first1=Souad |last2=Warrick |first2=Joby |date=6 October 2024 |title=Mossad's pager operation: Inside Israel's penetration of Hezbollah |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/10/05/israel-mossad-hezbollah-pagers-nasrallah/ |newspaper=The Washington Post}} For nine years, Israel limited its use of these devices to surveillance. However, in 2023, a new tactic emerged with the introduction of explosive-laden pagers which Hezbollah purchased not knowing that the pagers were booby-trapped.

The exploding pagers were the AR924 model by the Taiwanese company Gold Apollo, which met Hezbollah's requirements for devices capable of operating for months without needing to be recharged. The devices could be recharged with a cable.{{Cite web |date=17 September 2024 |title=Exploding Hezbollah devices reportedly issued in recent days |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel-at-war/artc-exploding-hezbollah-devices-reportedly-issued-in-recent-days |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=i24NEWS |language=en |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920074504/https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel-at-war/artc-exploding-hezbollah-devices-reportedly-issued-in-recent-days |url-status=live }} This model is not available for sale in Taiwan nor the United States,{{cite news |title=What we know about the Taiwanese firm caught up in Lebanon's exploding pagers attack |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/18/business/gold-apollo-taiwan-lebanon-exploding-pagers-hnk-intl/index.html |access-date=18 September 2024 |publisher=CNN |date=18 September 2024}} and the ministry's figures recorded no direct exports of any Gold Apollo-manufactured pagers from Taiwan to Lebanon during the same period. Indirect exports via third parties could not be ruled out.{{cite news |title=Taiwanese company Gold Apollo says it didn't make pagers used in Lebanon |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/09/18/gold-apollo-hezbollah-lebanon-pagers/ |access-date=18 September 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=17 September 2024}}

Gold Apollo denied making the pagers, explaining that they were made and sold by Budapest-based BAC Consulting Kft.,{{cite news |last=Lukash |first=Alexandra |date=18 September 2024 |title=Hungarian firm tied to pager blasts in Lebanon unmasked |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bytqokop0 |work=Ynetnews |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=18 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918090112/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bytqokop0 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Pandey |first1=Ashutosh |last2=Chaika |first2=Anna |date=18 September 2024 |editor-last=Hessler |editor-first=Uwe |title=BAC: Hungarian firm in focus of Hezbollah pager explosions |url=https://www.dw.com/en/bac-hungarian-firm-in-focus-of-hezbollah-pager-explosions/a-70248830 |access-date=18 September 2024 |website=Deutsche Welle |language=en |archive-date=18 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918125403/https://www.dw.com/en/bac-hungarian-firm-in-focus-of-hezbollah-pager-explosions/a-70248830 |url-status=live }} which had a licensing agreement with Gold Apollo for the previous three years.{{Cite web |agency=AFP |title=Taiwan's Gold Apollo Says Hezbollah Pagers Made By Hungary Partner |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/taiwan-s-gold-apollo-says-hezbollah-pagers-made-by-hungary-partner-ba2ff7c7 |access-date=18 September 2024 |website=www.barrons.com |language=en-US |quote=Gold Apollo has established a "long-term partnership" with Budapest-based BAC Consulting Kft. to use its trademark and the model mentioned in media reports "is produced and sold by BAC," the company said in a statement after the New York Times reported that its pagers were involved in the blasts. |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920042808/https://www.barrons.com/news/taiwan-s-gold-apollo-says-hezbollah-pagers-made-by-hungary-partner-ba2ff7c7 |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |first1=Johnson |last1=Lai |first2=Simina |last2=Mistreanu |date=18 September 2024 |title=Taiwanese Company Disavows Links to Pager Explosions, Points to Budapest Manufacturer |url=https://time.com/7022209/taiwan-firm-deny-making-pagers-lebanon-syria-budapest/ |access-date=18 September 2024 |magazine=TIME |language=en |quote=Gold Apollo chair Hsu Ching-kuang told journalists Wednesday that his company has had a licensing agreement with BAC for the past three years, but did not provide evidence of the contract. |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919133547/https://time.com/7022209/taiwan-firm-deny-making-pagers-lebanon-syria-budapest/ |url-status=live }} Gold Apollo founder Hsu Ching-Kuang said BAC's payments were "very strange", arriving via the Middle East.{{cite news |date=18 September 2024 |title=Gold Apollo says it did not make pagers used in Lebanon explosions |first=Ben |last=Blanchard |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gold-apollo-says-it-did-not-make-pagers-used-lebanon-explosion-2024-09-18/ |accessdate=18 September 2024 |website=Reuters}} Taiwanese police opened an investigation into Gold Apollo's involvement,{{Cite web|date=18 September 2024|title=Taiwan pager maker stunned by link to Lebanon attacks|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9qvl3vlvlvo|website=BBC|first=Rupert|last=Wingfield-Hayes|access-date=20 September 2024|archive-date=20 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920020358/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9qvl3vlvlvo|url-status=live}} searched four locations in Taipei and New Taipei City, and questioned two individuals. Both Economic Minister J.W. Kuo and Premier Cho Jung-tai denied the pagers were made in Taiwan.{{Cite web |date=20 September 2024 |title=Taiwan questions two in probe into Lebanon pager attack |url=https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20240920-taiwan-questions-two-in-probe-into-lebanon-pager-attack |website=France 24 |access-date=20 September 2024 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920084222/https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20240920-taiwan-questions-two-in-probe-into-lebanon-pager-attack |url-status=live }} German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) visited BAC's official address in Budapest but found only a sheet of paper on the door with the company name; the doorbell was not answered. DW cited the New York Times, which reported that BAC and at least two other shell companies were part of an Israeli front, intended to obscure links to Israeli intelligence officers.{{cite news |last1=Pandey |first1=Ashutosh |last2=Chaika |first2=Anna |date=18 September 2024 |title=Two European firms in focus of Hezbollah pager explosions |url=https://www.dw.com/en/bac-hungarian-firm-in-focus-of-hezbollah-pager-explosions/a-70248830 |access-date=18 September 2024 |publisher=Deutsche Welle |language=en}} The CEO of BAC Consultancy said they were intermediaries, not involved in manufacturing the devices.{{cite news |title=British-educated businesswoman denies making Hezbollah pagers which killed 12 people |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/hezbollah-pagers-explosions-bac-consulting-israel-hungary-b2615049.html |access-date=18 September 2024 |work=The Independent |date=18 September 2024 |language=en}}

BAC Consulting CEO Cristiana Bársony-Arcidiacono acknowledged working with Gold Apollo, but stated "I don't make the pagers. I am just the intermediate [sic]."{{Cite web|date=18 September 2024|title=Who made the exploding pagers? A messy global trail emerges behind deadly Lebanon blasts|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/taiwan-firm-denies-making-pagers-used-lebanon-explosions-rcna171594|access-date=18 September 2024|website=NBC News|first1=Mithil|last1=Aggarwal|first2=Peter|last2=Guo|first3=Dan|last3=De Luce|first4=Andrea|last4=Mitchell|language=en|archive-date=20 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920183930/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/taiwan-firm-denies-making-pagers-used-lebanon-explosions-rcna171594|url-status=live}} Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltán Kovács said BAC Consulting "is a trading intermediary, with no manufacturing or operational site in Hungary. It has one manager registered at its declared address, and the referenced devices have never been in Hungary."{{cite news |title=What was Hungarian company's role in manufacturing pagers that exploded in Lebanon? |url=https://www.euronews.com/2024/09/18/dozens-of-hezbollah-members-wounded-in-lebanon-by-exploding-pagers |work=Euronews |date=18 September 2024 |access-date=23 September 2024 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919120618/https://www.euronews.com/2024/09/18/dozens-of-hezbollah-members-wounded-in-lebanon-by-exploding-pagers |url-status=live }}

The New York Times reported that the Mossad operated BAC Consulting and created two other unnamed shell corporations to hide their involvement.{{cite news |last1=Frenkel |first1=Sheera |last2=Bergman |first2=Ronen |last3=Saad |first3=Hwaida |author3-link=Hwaida Saad |date=18 September 2024 |title=How Israel Built a Modern-Day Trojan Horse: Exploding Pagers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/18/world/middleeast/israel-exploding-pagers-hezbollah.html |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=The New York Times |quote=Even before Mr. Nasrallah decided to expand pager usage, Israel had put into motion a plan to establish a shell company that would pose as an international pager producer. By all appearances, B.A.C. Consulting was a Hungary-based company that was under contract to produce the devices on behalf of a Taiwanese company, Gold Apollo. In fact, it was part of an Israeli front, according to three intelligence officers briefed on the operation. They said at least two other shell companies were created as well to mask the real identities of the people creating the pagers: Israeli intelligence officers.| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240920004904/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/18/world/middleeast/israel-exploding-pagers-hezbollah.html| archive-date= 20 September 2024| url-status=live}} The pagers produced for Hezbollah had batteries that integrated {{Convert|3|g|oz|abbr=off}} of the explosive PETN in such a way that it would have been extremely difficult to detect.{{Cite news |date=20 September 2024 |title=Batteries of Lebanon walkie-talkies contained PETN explosive – Lebanese source |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/batteries-walkie-talkies-that-exploded-lebanon-were-laced-with-petn-lebanese-2024-09-20/ |access-date=20 September 2024 |work=Reuters}} Israeli officials believe that Hezbollah did in fact disassemble the pagers for inspections, and may have even scanned them with x-rays, yet were unable to detect the explosive materials. The explosive could not be detected by an airport security check.{{Cite news |last1=Gebeily |first1=Maya |last2=Pearson |first2=James |last3=Gauthier-Villars |first3=David |date=16 October 2024 |title=How Israel's bulky pager fooled Hezbollah |url=https://www.reuters.com/graphics/ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS/HEZBOLLAH-PAGERS/mopawkkwjpa/ |access-date=11 December 2024 |work=Reuters |language=en}} After the explosions, the Mossad claimed that it had used test dummies in order to carefully calibrate the amount of explosives to limit the injuries to the person holding the pager and not harm people standing next to them. According to the Mossad, injuries were preferable to death, with the injured Hezbollah operatives serving as walking reminders to the organization not to "mess with [Israel]". The Mossad claimed that there is a "strong rumor" that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah personally witnessed some of his operatives being hurt by the exploding pagers.

The Mossad also revealed after the explosions the fake marketing videos they produced to promote the pagers. According to the Mossad, the videos attracted interest from customers unaffiliated with Hezbollah. In order to discourage non-Hezbollah customers from buying the pagers, those customers were offered unattractive prices, whereas Hezbollah was offered the pagers at an attractive price.

Sky News quoted Lebanese security officials saying that Hezbollah had ordered 5,000 devices.{{cite news |title=Explosive pagers used by Hezbollah had been modified by Israel 'at production level', Reuters told by Lebanese security sources |url=https://news.sky.com/story/explosive-pagers-used-by-hezbollah-had-been-modified-by-israel-at-production-level-reuters-told-by-lebanese-security-sources-13217025 |work=Sky News |date=18 September 2024 |language=en |access-date=23 September 2024 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919013744/https://news.sky.com/story/explosive-pagers-used-by-hezbollah-had-been-modified-by-israel-at-production-level-reuters-told-by-lebanese-security-sources-13217025 |url-status=live }} Israel said that it sold Hezbollah over 16,000 of the walkie talkies.

According to Turkish media, the Turkish National Intelligence Organization prevented a second attack days after the initial one. They intercepted a shipment at Istanbul Airport containing 1,300 pagers and 700 chargers destined for Lebanon. Experts found explosive and flammable liquids inside the devices.{{cite news |title=Turkish intel foils second pager bomb plot targeting Lebanon: Media |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-intel-foils-second-pager-bomb-plot-targeting-lebanon-media-208866 |work=hurriyetdailynews |date=6 May 2025 |language=en |access-date=6 May 2025 |archive-date=6 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506133155/https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-intel-foils-second-pager-bomb-plot-targeting-lebanon-media-208866 |url-status=live }}

File:CCTV video of pager explosion in a Beirut market.webmOn 17 September 2024 at around 15:30 EEST,{{Cite web |date=17 September 2024 |title=Hezbollah hit by a wave of exploding pagers in Lebanon and Syria. At least 9 dead, hundreds injured |url=https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-hezbollah-israel-exploding-pagers-8893a09816410959b6fe94aec124461b |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920061313/https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-hezbollah-israel-exploding-pagers-8893a09816410959b6fe94aec124461b |url-status=live }} many pagers across Lebanon and Syria unexpectedly exploded in an apparently coordinated attack on Hezbollah members, many of whom were seriously wounded.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/17/world/israel-hamas-war-news/here-are-the-latest-developments|title=Video shows pagers exploding in Lebanon attack|work=The New York Times|accessdate=17 September 2024|date=17 September 2024|archive-date=17 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917155056/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/17/world/israel-hamas-war-news/here-are-the-latest-developments|url-status=live}} According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, the vast majority of those who came to emergency rooms were in civilian clothing and their Hezbollah affiliation was unclear.{{cite news |last1=Chao-Fong |first1=Léonie |last2=Ambrose |first2=Tom |last3=Lowe |first3=Yohannes |last4=Belam |first4=Martin |title=Lebanon explosions 'an extremely concerning escalation', says UN official, as Hezbollah threatens retaliation – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/sep/17/middle-east-crisis-live-netanyahu-expands-gaza-war-aims-blinken-heads-to-egypt?page=with%3Ablock-66e9f8468f086ad2b4929f30#block-66e9f8468f086ad2b4929f30 |work=The Guardian |date=17 September 2024 |access-date=20 September 2024 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924031225/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/sep/17/middle-east-crisis-live-netanyahu-expands-gaza-war-aims-blinken-heads-to-egypt?page=with%3Ablock-66e9f8468f086ad2b4929f30#block-66e9f8468f086ad2b4929f30 |url-status=live }}

Facial and eye injuries were the most common effect of the explosions and, according to Tracy Chamoun, the pagers emitted a sound to encourage users to pick the devices up and lift them to their heads.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cwyl9048gx8t |title=Israel's spy agency Mossad planted explosives in Hezbollah pagers, reports say |work=BBC News |date=17 September 2024 |access-date=17 September 2024 |archive-date=17 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917161447/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cwyl9048gx8t |url-status=live }} Other reports say that the device vibrated and showed an error message on the screen, and only detonated when the user pressed a button to clear the error, increasing the chance that the operator of the device would be holding it. Iranian ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani, along with two additional embassy staffers, were injured in the attack. Amani testified that a “special beep” sounded followed by the text, “You have an important message.” The detonation occurred on pushing a button to read it.{{cite web | url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-828887 | title='Exploding pagers were purchased by Hezbollah,' injured Iranian ambassador admits | date=13 November 2024 }} Amani lost one eye and suffered severe injuries in the other.{{cite web |date=18 September 2024 |title=Pagers Explode Across Lebanon in Apparent Attack on Hezbollah |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/17/world/israel-hamas-war-news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917182225/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/17/world/israel-hamas-war-news |archive-date=17 September 2024 |access-date=18 September 2024 |website=The New York Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=18 September 2024 |title=Iran embassy in Beirut comments on envoy's health condition |url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/221462/Iran-embassy-in-Beirut-comments-on-envoy-s-health-condition |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920090741/https://en.mehrnews.com/news/221462/Iran-embassy-in-Beirut-comments-on-envoy-s-health-condition |archive-date=20 September 2024 |access-date=18 September 2024 |website=Mehr News Agency |language=en}} According to reports, the message that appeared on the pager was encrypted and required two buttons be simultaneously pressed, which in practice meant both hands had to be used to read the message.

Explosions occurred in several areas where Hezbollah has a strong presence, including its stronghold of Dahieh in Beirut; southern Lebanon; and the Beqaa Valley near the Syrian border,{{Cite web |last=Kent |first=Lauren |date=17 September 2024 |title=Israel behind deadly pager explosions that targeted Hezbollah and injured thousands in Lebanon |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/17/middleeast/lebanon-hezbollah-pagers-explosions-intl/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919060924/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/17/middleeast/lebanon-hezbollah-pagers-explosions-intl/index.html |archive-date=19 September 2024 |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=CNN |language=en}} where explosions were reported in the towns of Aali en Nahri and Riyaq. In Syria, explosions of pagers were also reported in Damascus and its vicinity.{{Cite web |date=13 April 2024 |title=Syrie : explosion d'une voiture piégée dans le centre de Damas |url=https://www.france24.com/fr/moyen-orient/20240413-syrie-explosion-voiture-pi%C3%A9g%C3%A9e-dans-le-centre-de-damas |access-date=19 September 2024 |website=France 24 |language=fr}}{{Cite web |date=17 September 2024 |title=Car explosion reported in Damascus |url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/221430/Car-explosion-reported-in-Damascus |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=Mehr News Agency |language=en |archive-date=17 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917152244/https://en.mehrnews.com/news/221430/Car-explosion-reported-in-Damascus |url-status=live }} Blasts reportedly continued for up to 30 minutes after the initial detonations, intensifying the resulting chaos.{{Cite web |date=17 September 2024 |title=Hundreds of Hezbollah members wounded in Lebanon in mass pager hack |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-820536 |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920073944/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-820536 |url-status=live }}

Witnesses reported seeing multiple individuals with bleeding wounds in the aftermath of the blasts. In one instance, an explosion occurred inside the trouser pockets of a man standing outside a shop.{{Cite web |date=17 September 2024 |title=Hezbollah says exploding pagers kill three and injure many in Lebanon |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd7xnelvpepo |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=BBC |language=en |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920073945/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd7xnelvpepo |url-status=live }} Photos and videos circulating on social media and local media from Beirut's southern suburbs showed individuals lying on the ground with injuries on their hands or near their pockets.{{Cite news |date=18 September 2024 |title=9 killed, almost 3,000 injured as vast wave of pager explosions strikes Hezbollah |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/several-killed-thousands-hurt-as-wave-of-pager-explosions-strikes-hezbollah/ |access-date=18 September 2024 |work=The Times of Israel |quote=Other photos and videos from Beirut's southern suburbs circulating on social media and in local media showed people lying on the pavement with wounds on their hands or near their pants pockets.}}

Around 150 hospitals received victims of the attack, which saw chaotic scenes.{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240917-chaotic-scenes-outside-lebanon-hospitals-on-streets-after-pager-blasts |title=Chaotic scenes outside Lebanon hospitals, on streets after pager blasts |work=France24 |access-date=17 September 2024 |date=17 September 2024}}{{Cite web |date=17 September 2024 |title=Lebanon's health minister says 8 killed, 2,750 wounded by exploding pagers |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/17/dozens-of-hezbollah-members-wounded-after-pagers-explode-in-lebanon |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920055119/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/17/dozens-of-hezbollah-members-wounded-after-pagers-explode-in-lebanon |url-status=live }} Hospitals in southern Lebanon, the Beqaa Valley, and Beirut's southern suburbs were overwhelmed with patients, many suffering from injuries to the face, hands and waist.{{Cite web |last=Gritten |first=David |date=17 September 2024 |others=Additional reporting by Frances Mao |title=Hezbollah blames Israel after pager explosions kill eight in Lebanon |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd7xnelvpepo |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=BBC |language=en |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920073945/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd7xnelvpepo |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=18 September 2024 |title=Hospitals across Lebanon overwhelmed with casualties from pager blasts |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-thousands-injured-in-lebanon-pager-explosions?update=3185534 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923021235/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-thousands-injured-in-lebanon-pager-explosions?update=3185534 |url-status=live }} In response, the Ministry of Health advised individuals with pagers to dispose of them and instructed hospitals to remain on "high alert". It also called on health workers to report to work and asked them not to use wireless devices. The state-run National News Agency appealed for blood donations.{{Cite web |first1=Lauren |last1=Kent |first2=Rob |last2=Picheta |date=17 September 2024 |title=Pager explosions injure thousands, including Hezbollah members, Lebanon says |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/17/middleeast/lebanon-hezbollah-pagers-explosions-intl/index.html |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=17 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917142105/https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/17/middleeast/lebanon-hezbollah-pagers-explosions-intl/index.html |url-status=live }} Ambulance crews were deployed from the northern cities of Tripoli and Al-Qalamoun to help in Beirut.{{Cite web |first1=Christian |last1=Edwards |first2=Adrienne |last2=Vogt |first3=Aditi |last3=Sangal |date=17 September 2024 |title=Pagers explode across Lebanon in attack targeting Hezbollah members, source says: Live updates |url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/lebanon-pagers-attack-hezbollah/index.html |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919064055/https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/lebanon-pagers-attack-hezbollah/index.html |url-status=live }}

The attack came just a day after the Biden administration's special envoy Amos Hochstein visited Israel and warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against provoking a major escalation in Lebanon. Just before the blasts, Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant told the US defense secretary Lloyd Austin that an operation was planned in Lebanon.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/18/pager-and-walkie-talkie-attacks-on-hezbollah-were-audacious-and-carefully-planned|title=Pager and walkie-talkie attacks on Hezbollah were audacious and carefully planned|first1=Dan|last1=Sabbagh|first2=Lili|last2=Bayer|first3=Dan|last3=Milmo|work=The Guardian|date=18 September 2024|access-date=20 September 2024|archive-date=23 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923021234/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/18/pager-and-walkie-talkie-attacks-on-hezbollah-were-audacious-and-carefully-planned|url-status=live}}

At around 17:00 EEST on 18 September, about 24 hours after the initial attack, a second wave of explosions occurred, targeting handheld radios.{{cite news |title=Second wave of Lebanon device explosions kills 20 and wounds 450 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce9jglrnmkvo |access-date=21 September 2024 |agency=BBC News |date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=21 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921002209/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce9jglrnmkvo |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/18/world/israel-hezbollah-gaza-hamas/ff00c924-b66c-5a5d-929e-fe60da8b0d9c |title=Hezbollah said that more explosions had occurred in different areas of Lebanon on Wednesday, this time affecting handheld radios. |date=18 September 2024 |last=Saad |first=Hwaida |work=The New York Times |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920061828/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/18/world/israel-hezbollah-gaza-hamas/ff00c924-b66c-5a5d-929e-fe60da8b0d9c |url-status=live }}

Explosions were reported in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon.{{Cite web |date=18 September 2024 |title=Round two? Additional Hezbollah beepers explode in southern Lebanon |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-820703 |access-date=18 September 2024 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920054718/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-820703 |url-status=live }} The explosions also caused fires in at least two homes.{{Cite web |date=18 September 2024 |title=حريق في منزل بميفدون ومنزل في النبطية الفوقا نتيجة الانفجارات |trans-title=Fire in a house in Meifdoun and a house in Nabatieh Al-Fawqa as a result of explosions |url=https://www.mtv.com.lb/News/%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%B1/1485460/%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%82-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B2%D9%84-%D8%A8%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%88%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B2%D9%84-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A8%D8%B7%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%88%D9%82%D8%A7-%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%AC%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%81%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA |access-date=18 September 2024 |website=MTV Lebanon |language=ar |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923021224/https://www.mtv.com.lb/News/%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%B1/1485460/%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%82-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B2%D9%84-%D8%A8%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%88%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B2%D9%84-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A8%D8%B7%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%88%D9%82%D8%A7-%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%AC%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%81%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA |url-status=live }} Other explosions occurred at a funeral held in Beirut for three Hezbollah members and a child who had been killed by the initial explosions.{{Cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-exploding-pagers-hezbollah-syria-ce6af3c2e6de0a0dddfae48634278288#https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-exploding-pagers-hezbollah-syria-ce6af3c2e6de0a0dddfae48634278288 |title=Explosions witnessed at Beirut funeral for Hezbollah members and a child killed in pager attack |date=18 September 2024 |work=Associated Press |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920075020/https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-exploding-pagers-hezbollah-syria-ce6af3c2e6de0a0dddfae48634278288#https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-exploding-pagers-hezbollah-syria-ce6af3c2e6de0a0dddfae48634278288 |url-status=live }} Lebanese Civil Defense said it responded to fires in at least 71 homes and shops, including a lithium battery store in Majdel Selm, as well as 15 cars and numerous motorcycles. These fires were triggered by explosions in various locations across Nabatieh Governorate.{{cite web |url=https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1427494/after-pager-explosions-hezbollah-announces-death-of-10-fighters-vows-to-continue-operations-day-348-of-the-gaza-war.html |title=At least 14 dead and over 450 injured in new explosions of communication devices across Lebanon: Day 348 of the Gaza war |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919195754/https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1427494/after-pager-explosions-hezbollah-announces-death-of-10-fighters-vows-to-continue-operations-day-348-of-the-gaza-war.html |archive-date=19 September 2024 |url-status=live |work=L'Orient Today |date=18 September 2024 }}

One compromised device was discovered inside an ambulance outside the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) and neutralized in a controlled explosion by the Lebanese Army.{{cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/18/more-devices-exploding-across-lebanon-whats-happening |title=More devices exploding across Lebanon: What's happening? |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=19 September 2024 |access-date=23 September 2024 |archive-date=22 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922005211/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/18/more-devices-exploding-across-lebanon-whats-happening |url-status=live }} Hezbollah supporters reportedly prevented journalists from filming the incident at the AUBMC.{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/18/middleeast/lebanon-explosions-intl/index.html|title='New era' of war beginning, Israel says, as more Hezbollah devices explode across Lebanon|date=18 September 2024 |publisher=CNN|access-date=23 September 2024|archive-date=22 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922094711/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/18/middleeast/lebanon-explosions-intl/index.html|url-status=live}} The Lebanese Red Cross dispatched 30 ambulances to transport victims in the affected areas.

The targeted devices were reported as Icom IC-V82 VHF walkie-talkies, known to be used by Hezbollah.{{cite news |last1=Triebert |first1=Christiaan |last2=Toler |first2=Aric |title=Walkie-Talkies in Lebanon May Have Held More Explosives Than Pagers, a Times Analysis Finds |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/18/world/middleeast/hezbollah-israel-walkie-talkie-explosives.html |access-date=18 September 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=18 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918200416/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/18/world/middleeast/hezbollah-israel-walkie-talkie-explosives.html |url-status=live }} Manufacture of the IC-V82 model ceased in 2014,{{cite news |last1=Bassam |first1=Laila |last2=Gebeily |first2=Maya |title=Hezbollah hand-held radios detonate across Lebanon in second day of explosions |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-planted-explosives-hezbollahs-taiwan-made-pagers-say-sources-2024-09-18/ |access-date=18 September 2024 |work=Reuters |date=18 September 2024}} and Icom had previously issued an advisory warning about counterfeit radios, including the IC-V82.{{cite news |last1=Madani |first1=Doha |title=A wave of deadly walkie-talkie explosions sweeps Lebanon day after widespread pager attack |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pager-new-device-explosions-lebanon-hezbollah-rcna171637 |access-date=18 September 2024 |agency=NBC News |date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924021712/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pager-new-device-explosions-lebanon-hezbollah-rcna171637 |url-status=live }} The company said on 19 September that it was conducting an investigation{{cite news |first=Kantaro |last=Komiya |title=Japan's Icom investigating radio devices carrying its logo after Lebanon blasts |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/japans-icom-investigating-radio-devices-carrying-its-logo-after-lebanon-blasts-2024-09-19/ |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=Reuters |date=18 September 2024}} and, two days later, announced that it was "highly unlikely" that the radios were theirs.{{cite news |title=Hack of Hezbollah devices exposes dark corners of Asia supply chains |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2024/09/21/hezbollah-hack-asia-supply-chains-analysis/ |access-date=21 September 2024 |work=The Japan Times |date=21 September 2024 |archive-date=21 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921023701/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2024/09/21/hezbollah-hack-asia-supply-chains-analysis/ |url-status=live }} A sales executive at Icom's US subsidiary said the transceivers involved appeared to be "knockoff" (counterfeit) products.{{cite news |last1=O'Brien |first1=Matt |title=Walkie-talkie maker says exploded devices appear to have been knockoffs |url=https://apnews.com/live/lebanon-syria-pagers-hezbollah-updates#00000192-06cb-d51f-a7d6-0efb2de20000 |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=Associated Press |date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=18 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918235909/https://apnews.com/live/lebanon-syria-pagers-hezbollah-updates#00000192-06cb-d51f-a7d6-0efb2de20000 |url-status=live }}

Other electronic devices, such as fingerprint biometric devices, were also reported to have exploded, though it remains unclear whether those devices caught fire from other explosions or detonated on their own.{{cite news |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2024/09/18/lebanon-panic-as-two-solar-panel-systems-explode-amidst-pager-walkie-talkie-blasts-in-beirut-targeting-hezbollah.html |title=Lebanon: Panic as two solar panel systems explode amidst pager, walkie-talkie blasts in Beirut targeting Hezbollah |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919020717/https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2024/09/18/lebanon-panic-as-two-solar-panel-systems-explode-amidst-pager-walkie-talkie-blasts-in-beirut-targeting-hezbollah.html |url-status=live |archive-date=19 September 2024 |work=The Week }}{{Cite web |last2=Marsi |first1=Urooba |last1=Jamal |first2=Federica |title='Israel is ready for war': Troops drawn from Gaza to northern border |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-thousands-injured-in-lebanon-pager-explosions?update=3187995 |access-date=18 September 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920090947/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-thousands-injured-in-lebanon-pager-explosions?update=3187995 |url-status=live |quote=That appears to be changing – especially after pagers, walkie-talkies, solar equipment and other devices exploded in Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday, killing at least 20 and wounding thousands in a sophisticated attack Hezbollah blamed on Israel. }}{{Cite news |last1=Chao-Fong |first1=Léonie |last2=Sedghi |first2=Amy |last3=Belam |first3=Martin |last4=Yerushalmy |first4=Jonathan |date=18 September 2024 |title=Dozens reported injured as new wave of explosions across Lebanon targets Hezbollah walkie-talkies – Middle East live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/sep/18/middle-east-crisis-live-hezbollah-pager-explosion-lebanon-irael-iran-latest-updates |access-date=18 September 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920090211/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/sep/18/middle-east-crisis-live-hezbollah-pager-explosion-lebanon-irael-iran-latest-updates |url-status=live }}

In the aftermath of the second wave of explosions, a group of men attacked United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon vehicles in Tyre, before Lebanese armed forces intervened.{{Cite web |date=18 September 2024 |title=بالفيديو: هجوم على سيارات اليونيفيل في منطقة الحوش قرب صور |trans-title=Video: Attack on UNIFIL vehicles in Al-Hawsh area near Tyre |url=https://www.mtv.com.lb/News/%D9%85%D9%80%D9%80%D8%AD%D9%80%D9%80%D9%84%D9%80%D9%80%D9%8A%D9%80%D9%80%D8%A7%D8%AA/1485481/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%88--%D9%87%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%84-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B7%D9%82%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%B4-%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1 |access-date=18 September 2024 |website=MTV Lebanon |language=ar |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920075022/https://www.mtv.com.lb/News/%D9%85%D9%80%D9%80%D8%AD%D9%80%D9%80%D9%84%D9%80%D9%80%D9%8A%D9%80%D9%80%D8%A7%D8%AA/1485481/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%88--%D9%87%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%84-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B7%D9%82%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%B4-%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news| title=Solar power systems exploded in homes across Lebanon – report |last=Christou |first=W.| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/sep/18/middle-east-crisis-live-hezbollah-pager-explosion-lebanon-irael-iran-latest-updates| website=The Guardian| date=18 September 2024| access-date=18 September 2024| quote=a group of men attacked a UN peacekeeping (Unifil) patrol transiting through the city of Tyre in south Lebanon| archive-date=20 September 2024| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920090211/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/sep/18/middle-east-crisis-live-hezbollah-pager-explosion-lebanon-irael-iran-latest-updates| url-status=live}}

{{As of|2024|September|22}}, the death toll from the attacks was 42, including at least 12 civilian deaths.{{Cite news |last1=George |first1=Susannah |last2=Haidamous |first2=Suzan |date=20 September 2024 |title=Toll of Lebanon device attacks reveals Hezbollah's 'society in arms' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/09/19/israel-lebanon-pagers-attack-victims/ |access-date=20 September 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920002208/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/09/19/israel-lebanon-pagers-attack-victims/ |url-status=live }} At least 12 people were killed in the first wave of attacks,{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-pager-explosion-e9493409a0648b846fdcadffdb02d71e|title=What to know about the deadly pager explosions targeting Hezbollah|work=Associated Press|date=18 September 2024|access-date=18 September 2024|archive-date=19 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919213419/https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-pager-explosion-e9493409a0648b846fdcadffdb02d71e|url-status=live}} including civilians such as two health workers,{{Cite web |date=17 September 2024 |title=Exploding pagers belonging to Hezbollah kill 8 and injure more than 2,700 in Lebanon |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/hezbollah-pagers-expolsion-lebanon-handheld-devices-rcna171457 |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=17 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917143611/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/hezbollah-pagers-expolsion-lebanon-handheld-devices-rcna171457 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=17 September 2024 |title=Hezbollah Pagers Explode in Apparent Attack Across Lebanon |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/hundreds-of-hezbollah-operatives-pagers-explode-in-apparent-attack-across-lebanon-cf31cad4 |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=The Wall Street Journal|first1=Adam|last1=Chamseddine|first2=Summer|last2=Said|first3=Stephen|last3=Kalin |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920070411/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/hundreds-of-hezbollah-operatives-pagers-explode-in-apparent-attack-across-lebanon-cf31cad4 |url-status=live }} a 9-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy.{{cite web |date=18 September 2024 |title=Death toll from Hezbollah pager explosions in Lebanon rises to 12 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2kn10xxldo |work=BBC |access-date=23 September 2024 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920061829/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2kn10xxldo |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=18 September 2024 |title=Exploding Hezbollah pagers in apparent Israeli attack made by Hungarian company, Taiwanese firm says |url=https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-exploding-pagers-hezbollah-syria-ce6af3c2e6de0a0dddfae48634278288 |work=Associated Press |language=en |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920075020/https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-exploding-pagers-hezbollah-syria-ce6af3c2e6de0a0dddfae48634278288 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Lebanon is rocked again by exploding devices as Israel declares a 'new phase' of war |url=https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-exploding-pagers-hezbollah-syria-ce6af3c2e6de0a0dddfae48634278288 |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=Associated Press |date=19 September 2024 |language=en-us |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920075020/https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-exploding-pagers-hezbollah-syria-ce6af3c2e6de0a0dddfae48634278288 |url-status=live }} In the second wave on 18 September, at least 30 people were killed and 750 others were injured. The adult son of Ali Ammar, a Hezbollah member of Parliament was killed; Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati visited southern Beirut to pay his respects.

On 20 September 2024, it was reported that more than 3,500 people were injured.

On 17 September Health Minister Firass Abiad said the vast majority of those being treated in emergency rooms were in civilian clothing and their Hezbollah affiliation was unclear,{{cite news |last1=Chao-Fong |first1=Léonie |last2=Ambrose |first2=Tom |last3=Lowe |first3=Yohannes |last4=Belam |first4=Martin |date=17 September 2024 |title=Lebanon explosions 'an extremely concerning escalation', says UN official, as Hezbollah threatens retaliation – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/sep/17/middle-east-crisis-live-netanyahu-expands-gaza-war-aims-blinken-heads-to-egypt?page=with%3Ablock-66e9f8468f086ad2b4929f30#block-66e9f8468f086ad2b4929f30 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924031225/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/sep/17/middle-east-crisis-live-netanyahu-expands-gaza-war-aims-blinken-heads-to-egypt?page=with%3Ablock-66e9f8468f086ad2b4929f30#block-66e9f8468f086ad2b4929f30 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |access-date=20 September 2024 |work=the Guardian}} but casualties included elderly people as well as young children. As of 18 September, it was unclear if only Hezbollah members were carrying the pagers.{{Cite web |title=Hezbollah hit by a wave of exploding pagers and blames Israel. At least 9 dead, thousands injured |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/dozens-wounded-after-pagers-detonate-lebanon-officials-point-113754464 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918235242/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/dozens-wounded-after-pagers-detonate-lebanon-officials-point-113754464 |archive-date=18 September 2024 |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en}} During his speech on 19 September, Secretary-General Nasrallah clarified the exploded pagers were those distributed to lower ranking members while Hezbollah's leaders did not use the model.{{cite news |title=Hezbollah leader accuses Israel of targeting '5,000 people in two minutes' as he admits Lebanon blasts are 'unprecedented blow' |url=https://news.sky.com/story/hezbollah-leader-accuses-israel-of-targeting-5-000-people-in-two-minutes-as-he-admits-lebanon-blasts-are-unprecedented-blow-13217867 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919163352/https://news.sky.com/story/hezbollah-leader-accuses-israel-of-targeting-5-000-people-in-two-minutes-as-he-admits-lebanon-blasts-are-unprecedented-blow-13217867 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=Sky News |language=en}} According to the Health Ministry, healthcare workers were also injured and it advised all healthcare workers to discard their pagers.{{cite news |title=Hezbollah pagers: How did they explode and who is responsible? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz04m913m49o |work=BBC |access-date=17 September 2024 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920054509/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz04m913m49o |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=17 September 2024 |title=Lebanon says 8 killed and over two thousand wounded by exploding pagers |url=https://www.africanews.com/2024/09/17/lebanon-says-8-killed-and-over-two-thousand-wounded-by-exploding-pagers/ |work=Africanews |language=en |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=18 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918143557/https://www.africanews.com/2024/09/17/lebanon-says-8-killed-and-over-two-thousand-wounded-by-exploding-pagers/ |url-status=live }} On 26 September, Abdallah Bou Habib, Lebanon's Foreign Minister, confirmed that most of those carrying pagers were not fighters, but civilians like administrators. Qassim Qassir, a Lebanese expert on Hezbollah,{{efn|name=fn1}} said the attacks mostly struck civilian workers, leaving its military wing largely unaffected. On 11 November, {{ill|Mustafa Bairam|ar|مصطفى_بيرم}}, the Lebanese Labour Minister, made a formal complaint to the United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO), in which he stated that the pagers wounded or killed 4,000 civilians – much higher than initial reports of casualties.{{Cite web |date=11 November 2024 |title=Netanyahu confirms he okayed Lebanon pager attacks that killed 40 and injured 3,000 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/benjamin-netanyahu-israel-lebanon-pager-attacks-b2644731.html |access-date=27 November 2024 |website=The Independent |language=en}}

One eye doctor at Mount Lebanon University Hospital reported that a number of those injured showed signs of something being blown up directly in their face, with some losing one or both eyes, while others had shrapnel in their brains.{{Cite web |last1=Simmons |first1=Keir |last2=Silva |first2=Daniella |date=20 September 2024 |title=Beirut eye doctor describes 'devastating' injuries after blasts |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/beirut-eye-doctor-describes-devastating-injuries-blasts-rcna171972 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923021240/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/beirut-eye-doctor-describes-devastating-injuries-blasts-rcna171972 |archive-date=23 September 2024 |access-date=21 September 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en}}{{cite news |date=20 September 2024 |title=Lebanese doctor recalls one of 'worst nightmares' after pager attacks |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2024/09/20/lebanese-doctor-recalls-one-of-worst-nightmares-after-pager-attacks |access-date=21 September 2024 |agency=Al Arabiya English}} The Lebanese health ministry reported that 300 people had lost both eyes and 500 people had lost one eye as a result of the pager attacks.{{cite web |author=James Andre |date=20 September 2024 |title=WATCH: Hezbollah commander Aqil was injured in pager attack before his assassination in Israeli strike |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaBtUb3mhqk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920214151/https://www.youtube.com/watch?pp=ygUMZ2VybWFuIG5hemkg&v=kaBtUb3mhqk |archive-date=20 September 2024 |access-date=21 September 2024 |website=YouTube |publisher=France 24 |language=en |quote=according to the health ministry figures, 300 people have lost both their eyes 500 lost one eye (3m30s)}} Other doctors saw severe hand, waist and facial injuries, reporting patients with fingers torn, hands amputated, eyes popped out of the socket and facial lacerations.{{Cite web |last=Guerin |first=Orla |date=19 September 2024 |title=Surgeon 'became robotic' to treat sheer volume of wounded Lebanese |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c04p7q3k4k9o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921021954/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c04p7q3k4k9o |archive-date=21 September 2024 |access-date=21 September 2024 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}} An unnamed Hezbollah official told Reuters 1,500 Hezbollah fighters were taken out of action by injuries.{{Cite news |last1=Bassam |first1=Lailla |last2=Mackenzie |first2=James |date=25 September 2024 |title=Hezbollah's tunnels and flexible command weather Israel's deadly blows |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollahs-tunnels-flexible-command-weather-israels-deadly-blows-2024-09-25/ |work=Reuters}} The Iranian Ministry of Health reported that it treated 500 victims by performing more than 1,500 eye and limb surgeries, and that Iran sent 12 doctors to Lebanon to assist in treatment.{{cite news |title=Iran Treats 500 Victims Of Lebanon Pager Explosions - Iran Front Page |url=https://ifpnews.com/iran-500-victims-lebanon-pager-explosions/ |work=ifpnews.com |date=21 November 2024}}{{cite web | url=https://www.iranintl.com/en/202411210169 | title=Iran conducts 1,500 surgeries for Hezbollah operatives | date=21 November 2024 }}{{better source needed|date=February 2025}}

{{Further|September 2024 Lebanon strikes}}

Lebanese health minister Firas Abiad said the scale of the attack was greater than the 2020 Beirut explosion, which was one of the largest artificial non-nuclear explosions ever recorded.{{cite news |last1=Christou |first1=William |date=18 September 2024 |title='Sophisticated evil': Beirut medics and civilians horrified by pager attacks |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/18/lebanon-beirut-medics-civilians-horrified-pager-attacks |work=The Guardian |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920090754/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/18/lebanon-beirut-medics-civilians-horrified-pager-attacks |url-status=live }}{{cite web|date=5 August 2020|title=Beirut explosion 'one of the largest non-nuclear blasts in history'|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/beirut-explosion-one-of-largest-blasts-history-a4517646.html|access-date=10 August 2020|website=Evening Standard|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808173504/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/beirut-explosion-one-of-largest-blasts-history-a4517646.html|url-status=live}} The head of Lebanon's disaster response committee also compared the pager attack with the Beirut explosion, in terms of the sudden influx of casualties and the strain imposed on Lebanon's emergency response system.{{cite news |last1=Chao-Fong |first1=Léonie |last2=Sedghi |first2=Amy |last3=Belam |first3=Martin |last4=Yerushalmy |first4=Jonathan |date=18 September 2024 |title=Hundreds reported injured in Lebanon as Hezbollah walkie-talkies explode – Middle East live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/sep/18/middle-east-crisis-live-hezbollah-pager-explosion-lebanon-irael-iran-latest-updates?page=with%3Ablock-66eab6918f086ad2b492a4b4#block-66eab6918f086ad2b492a4b4 |work=The Guardian |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920092651/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/sep/18/middle-east-crisis-live-hezbollah-pager-explosion-lebanon-irael-iran-latest-updates?page=with:block-66eab6918f086ad2b492a4b4#block-66eab6918f086ad2b492a4b4 |url-status=live }} Many Lebanese doctors who were treating the injured concurred that the level of injuries was greater than that after the port explosion.{{cite news |date=18 September 2024 |title=Lebanon doctors tell of horror after pager blasts |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/09/18/lebanon-doctors-tell-of-horror-after-pager-blasts_6726505_4.html |access-date=20 September 2024 |work=Le Monde |language=en |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919123426/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/09/18/lebanon-doctors-tell-of-horror-after-pager-blasts_6726505_4.html |url-status=live }}

Schools were closed in Lebanon on 18 September, and the Lebanese army announced it was conducting controlled blasts in various areas to destroy any suspicious devices.{{Cite web |date=19 September 2024 |title=Lebanon bans pagers, walkie-talkies from flights |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/lebanon-bans-pagers-walkie-talkies-from-flights-1.7044409 |access-date=19 September 2024 |website=CTVNews |language=en |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924020917/https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/lebanon-bans-pagers-walkie-talkies-from-flights-1.7044409 |url-status=live }}

On 19 September, the Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority imposed an indefinite ban on carrying pagers and walkie-talkies inside checked luggage and carry-on items on flights at Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport.{{cite news |last1=Chehayeb |first1=Kareem |date=19 September 2024 |title=Lebanon: No more pagers, walkie-talkies on flights from Beirut |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/lebanon-explosion-hezbollah-israel-ban-pager-walkie-talkie-flight/ |work=Politico |access-date=23 September 2024 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919162905/https://www.politico.eu/article/lebanon-explosion-hezbollah-israel-ban-pager-walkie-talkie-flight/ |url-status=live }} Air France and Lufthansa suspended flights to Beirut (along with Tel Aviv and Tehran), citing the security situation caused by the attacks.{{cite web |author=Noëth, B. |date=18 September 2024 |title=Air France, British Airways and Lufthansa Group airlines suspend flights to Middle East following attack in Lebanon |url=https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/air-france-klm-group/air-france/air-france-british-airways-and-lufthansa-group-suspend-flights-to-middle-east-following-attack-in-lebanon |access-date=18 September 2024 |publisher=Aviation24.be |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920075730/https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/air-france-klm-group/air-france/air-france-british-airways-and-lufthansa-group-suspend-flights-to-middle-east-following-attack-in-lebanon/ |url-status=live }}

CNN suggested that the operation was likely intended to instill paranoia among Hezbollah members, undermine their recruitment efforts, and weaken confidence in Hezbollah's leadership and its ability to protect its operations and personnel.{{Cite web |last1=John |first1=Tara |last2=Qiblawi |first2=Tamara |last3=Liebermann |first3=Oren |last4=Schmitz |first4=Avery |last5=Xiong |first5=Yong |date=18 September 2024 |title=Secrecy is the cornerstone of Hezbollah's military strategy. Deadly pager blasts expose a key weakness |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/17/middleeast/lebanon-pager-attack-explosions-hezbollah-explainer-intl-latam/index.html |access-date=18 September 2024 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919054545/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/17/middleeast/lebanon-pager-attack-explosions-hezbollah-explainer-intl-latam/index.html |url-status=live }} John Miller, CNN's Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst, stated the message for Hezbollah was that "We can reach you anywhere, anytime, at the day and moment of our choosing and we can do it at the press of a button."

The Economist suggested that the pager-bombs, aimed at disrupting Hezbollah's command and communications structure, could be a precursor to an Israeli invasion. Lina Khatib of Chatham House said the breach could paralyze Hezbollah's military and instill fear, making the group more cautious with its communications. Another theory is that Israel acted preemptively to prevent Hezbollah from discovering the vulnerability.

Lebanese journalist Kim Ghattas, who also contributes to The Atlantic, spoke to CNN, suggesting the incident could be an effort "to cow Hezbollah into submission, and make clear that an increase of their attacks against Israel will be met with even further violence." She noted that it might act as a precursor to a large-scale Israeli campaign, especially as Hezbollah contends with the chaos from the attack.

Jewish-American political scientist Eliot A. Cohen wrote in The Atlantic that the attacks were "a strategic win for Israel"—beyond the Hezbollah casualties—because Hezbollah would not be able to trust electronic communications, and an organization cannot function without them. He also said the explosions served as a "morale boost" for Israel after the killings of Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages three weeks prior.{{cite news |last=Cohen |first=Eliot A. |date=18 September 2024 |title=Israel's Strategic Win: A spectacular attack on Hezbollah is the latest development in the ongoing war between Iranian proxies and the Jewish state. |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2024/09/israels-strategic-win/679918/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918113539/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2024/09/israels-strategic-win/679918/ |archive-date=18 September 2024 |publisher=The Atlantic |authorlink=Eliot A. Cohen}}

The Washington Post later reported that the attack severely weakened Hezbollah's leadership and encouraged Israel to target and kill its top leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

Within days, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps suspended use of all types of communication devices and undertook an inspection of all their devices.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-guards-ban-communications-devices-after-strike-hezbollah-security-2024-09-23/|title=Exclusive: Iran's Guards ban communications devices after strike on Hezbollah|date=22 September 2024|first=Samia |last=Nakhoul|publisher=Reuters}} About a month later, the Iranian Civil Administration Organization issued a ban on all electronic communication devices, with the exception of mobile phones, on all commercial passenger flights.{{cite news|url=https://www.nation.com.pk/13-Oct-2024/iran-bans-pagers-walkie-talkies-on-flights-after-lebanon-attacks-civil-aviation-organization|title=Iran bans pagers, walkie-talkies on flights after Lebanon attacks|date=13 October 2024|publisher=The Nation}}

Shortly after the attack, Hezbollah issued a statement placing blame for the attack on Israel. While Israeli officials did not immediately comment on the attack, at least two US officials and a senior diplomat in the Middle East told NBC reporters that Israel was behind the attack on 18 September. The New York Times later reported that while Israel had continued to deny any role in the attack, twelve current and former defense and intelligence officials, who were briefed on the attack, said Israel was behind it.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initially declined to comment when approached by the Associated Press. Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi held a meeting with Israeli generals to discuss "preparation for defensive and offensive operations on all fronts". The next day, Halevi issued the following statement: "We have many capabilities that we have not yet activated... we have seen some of these things, it seems to me that we are well prepared and we are preparing these plans going forward." He also said that Israel will move further in stages, with each stage more painful for Hezbollah, and stated that the IDF is determined to allow displaced citizens in northern Israel to safely return to their homes.{{cite news |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |date=18 September 2024 |title=IDF chief says Israel has 'many more capabilities' to be used in war against Hezbollah |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-chief-says-israel-has-many-more-capabilities-to-be-used-in-war-against-hezbollah/ |access-date=18 September 2024 |work=The Times of Israel |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919112231/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-chief-says-israel-has-many-more-capabilities-to-be-used-in-war-against-hezbollah/ |url-status=live }}

On 22 September 2024, Israeli President Isaac Herzog denied "out of hand" any Israeli involvement in the explosions,{{cite news|last1=William|first1=Helen |title=Israel-Lebanon latest: Israel had 'no connection' with deadly exploding pager attack, president claims |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/israel-hezbollah-muslims-benjamin-netanyahu-israelis-b2616970.html |work=The Independent |date=22 September 2024 |access-date=22 September 2024 |archive-date=22 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922114422/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-pager-attack-haifa-latest-b2616933.html |url-status=live }} though Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu the same day said, "If Hezbollah has not understood the message, I promise you, it will understand the message."{{cite news |last1=Almond |first1=Mark |title=Why has Israel's president denied the pager attack on Hezbollah? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-walkie-talkies-pagers-b2617022.html |website=The Independent |date=22 September 2024|access-date=25 September 2024}} On 10 November 2024, Netanyahu admitted that Israel was responsible for the attacks. In an apparent dig against recently fired defense minister Yoav Gallant, Netanyahu was quoted as saying "The pager operation and the elimination of [Hezbollah leader Hassan] Nasrallah were carried out despite the opposition of senior officials in the defense establishment and those responsible for them in the political echelon".{{Cite web |last=Berman |first=Lazar |date=10 November 2024 |title=In first, Netanyahu said to acknowledge Israel carried out pager attacks on Hezbollah |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-netanyahu-said-to-admit-israel-carried-out-pager-attacks-on-hezbollah/ |access-date=11 November 2024 |website=The Times of Israel}}{{Cite news |date=10 November 2024 |title=Netanyahu says he 'greenlighted' Lebanon pager attacks |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/11/10/netanyahu-says-he-greenlighted-lebanon-pager-attacks_6732328_4.html# |access-date=11 November 2024 |work=Le Monde |language=en}} The following month, Israel authorized a couple of Mossad agents involved in the operation to be interviewed (in disguise) on the American news program 60 Minutes.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-former-mossad-agents-detail-explosive-pagers-hezbollah-terrorists-plot-60-minutes-transcript/|title=Former agents from Israel's Mossad detail how they built and sold explosive pagers to Hezbollah terrorists|date=December 22, 2024|first=Lesley| last=Stahl|authorlink= Lesley Stahl| publisher=CBS News}}

{{further|International humanitarian law|Laws of war#Principles of the laws of war}}

Josep Borrell, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, questioned the legality of the attacks due to their high collateral damage among civilians, including the deaths of children. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, also raised concerns over the attack's legality. Belgian deputy prime minister Petra De Sutter went further, calling it a "terror attack".{{Cite news |last1=Oliphant |first1=Roland |last2=Confino |first2=Jotam |date=18 September 2024 |title=Israel declares new phase of war after walkie-talkie bomb attacks |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/09/18/israel-declares-new-phase-of-war-after-walkie-talkie-bombs/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=The Daily Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924021027/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/09/18/israel-declares-new-phase-of-war-after-walkie-talkie-bombs/ |url-status=live }} Former CIA director Leon Panetta also described the attack as "a form of terrorism".{{cite web |date=23 September 2024 |title=Former CIA director: Israel pager attack 'a form of terrorism' |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-821315 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923060007/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-821315 |archive-date=23 September 2024 |access-date=23 September 2024 |work=The Jerusalem Post}}{{Cite web |last=Nieto |first=Phillip |date=23 September 2024 |title=Former CIA Director Leon Panetta Calls Israel's Pager Explosion Operation 'Terrorism' |url=https://www.mediaite.com/tv/former-cia-director-leon-panetta-calls-israels-pager-explosion-operation-terrorism/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923015044/https://www.mediaite.com/tv/former-cia-director-leon-panetta-calls-israels-pager-explosion-operation-terrorism/ |archive-date=23 September 2024 |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=Mediaite |language=en}}

The legal questions that were examined attempted to determine whether the attacks violated the principle of distinction (including the prohibition against using booby traps) and the principle of proportionality.{{Cite news |last=Finucane |first=Brian |date=18 September 2024 |title=Law of War Questions Raised by Exploding Pagers in Lebanon |url=https://www.justsecurity.org/100193/law-war-exploding-pagers-lebanon/ |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=Just Security |language=en-US |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924021027/https://www.justsecurity.org/100193/law-war-exploding-pagers-lebanon/ |url-status=live }}

A large group of United Nations special rapporteurs in conjunction with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights also said the attacks could be a war crime on the basis that they were "intended to spread terror among civilians", as well failing to distinguish protected civilians and contravening the prohibitions on booby trap usage. They called for an investigation.{{Cite web |date=21 September 2024 |title=UN rights chief claims detonation of Hezbollah comms devices could be a war crime |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/un-rights-chief-claims-detonation-of-hezbollah-comms-devices-could-be-a-war-crime/ |access-date=22 September 2024 |website=Times of Israel |archive-date=21 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921041322/https://www.timesofisrael.com/un-rights-chief-claims-detonation-of-hezbollah-comms-devices-could-be-a-war-crime/ |url-status=live }}

Experts at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said the attack was indiscriminate in nature since, by detonating thousands of devices simultaneously, the attacker failed to verify each target to distinguish between civilians and combatants.{{Cite web |date=19 September 2024 |title=Exploding pagers and radios: A terrifying violation of international law, say UN experts |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/09/exploding-pagers-and-radios-terrifying-violation-international-law-say-un |access-date=19 September 2024 |website=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights}} Alonso Gurmendi-Dunkelberg of the London School of Economics also said that, in order to meet the principle of distinction, Israel would have had to verify if each individual device was in the possession of a military target and not a civilian one. He said it was unlikely that Israel did so, given that thousands of devices were detonated simultaneously.{{Cite web |author=Rayhan Uddin |title=Did Israel's attack on pagers and radios break international law? |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/explainers/israel-pager-attack-lebanon-break-international-law-hezbollah |access-date=19 September 2024 |date=19 September 2024 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919143143/https://www.middleeasteye.net/explainers/israel-pager-attack-lebanon-break-international-law-hezbollah |url-status=live }}

Professor William Boothby wrote for the Lieber Institute for Law & Warfare that the targets appeared to be persons to whom the pagers were issued and it was "probably reasonable" to assume the pagers would be in their users' possession.{{r|Boothby}}

Lama Fakih, Middle East and North Africa Director at Human Rights Watch, stated "The use of an explosive device whose exact location could not be reliably known would be unlawfully indiscriminate, using a means of attack that could not be directed at a specific military target and as a result would strike military targets and civilians without distinction."{{cite web

|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/09/18/lebanon-exploding-pagers-harmed-hezbollah-civilians

|title=Lebanon: Exploding Pagers Harmed Hezbollah, Civilians

|date=18 September 2024

|access-date=21 September 2024

|publisher=Human Rights Watch

|archive-date=24 September 2024

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924020956/https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/09/18/lebanon-exploding-pagers-harmed-hezbollah-civilians

|url-status=live

}}

David M. Crane, founding chief prosecutor for the United Nations Special Court for Sierra Leone, wrote that the attacks potentially violated the principle of distinction if "methods employed were not precise enough to target Hezbollah while avoiding civilians"; however, if civilian casualties were unforeseen the attack would be lawful.{{cite web | url=https://www.jurist.org/commentary/2024/09/analyzing-the-israeli-pager-attack-on-hezbollah-using-law-of-armed-conflict-principles/ | title=Analyzing the Israeli Pager Attack on Hezbollah Using Law of Armed Conflict Principles | date=21 September 2024 }}

Many sources cautioned that under international humanitarian law only combatants may be targeted; anyone not taking part in hostilities cannot be targeted. While Hezbollah has a military wing, it is also a political party. US-based human rights lawyer Huwaida Arraf pointed out that civil servants are considered civilians under international law unless there is evidence that they have taken part in hostilities.{{cite news |last1=Harb |first1=Ali |date=18 September 2024 |title=Do Lebanon explosions violate the laws of war? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/18/do-lebanon-explosions-violate-the-laws-of-war |work=Al Jazeera |language=en |access-date=20 September 2024 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924021815/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/18/do-lebanon-explosions-violate-the-laws-of-war |url-status=live }} Professor William Boothby wrote that attacks on pagers would be illegal if it was known that pagers were also issued to non-combatant members of Hezbollah, for example, its diplomatic, political, or administrative staff.{{r|Boothby}}

Andreas Krieg, a professor of security studies at King's College London, said it was likely the pagers were distributed among civilian members of Hezbollah, such as those working in charities or the civil service, and these people were not taking part in hostilities.{{cite magazine |last1=Serhan |first1=Yasmeen |date=18 September 2024 |title=6 Questions About the Deadly Pager Attacks in Lebanon, Answered |url=https://time.com/7022458/exploding-pager-attack-lebanon-hezbollah-israel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924021722/https://time.com/7022458/exploding-pager-attack-lebanon-hezbollah-israel/ |archive-date=24 September 2024 |access-date=20 September 2024 |magazine=TIME |language=en}} Qassim Qassir, a Lebanese expert on Hezbollah,{{efn|name=fn1|Qassim Qassir has been described as expert on Hezbollah{{cite news |title=Despite Gaza battle, Hezbollah-Israel mutual deterrence holds |url=https://thearabweekly.com/despite-gaza-battle-hezbollah-israel-mutual-deterrence-holds |publisher=The Arab Weekly |access-date=23 September 2024 |archive-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521155448/https://thearabweekly.com/despite-gaza-battle-hezbollah-israel-mutual-deterrence-holds |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Thousands of Iran-backed fighters offer to join Hezbollah in its fight against Israel |url=https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/306086 |work=Naharnet |access-date=23 September 2024 |archive-date=23 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623221043/https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/306086 |url-status=live }}}} said the attacks mostly struck civilian workers, leaving its military wing largely unaffected. On 26 September, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said that some of those who carried pagers were fighters, but most were instead administrators.{{cite news |author=Aaron David Miller|title="We'd Like to Live Without War" |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/posts/2024/09/israel-hezbollah-lebanon-border-war-end-bouhabib?lang=en |work=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |language=en}}

Hezbollah also provides social services through affiliated charities. For example, one of those killed was a hospital orderly carrying a pager at Al Rassoul Al Azam Hospital, which is linked to one such charity.

Marko Milanovic, a professor of public international law at the University of Reading School of Law, writes it is almost impossible for Israel to have known whether Hezbollah issued the pagers to military members or civilian ones, given that some pagers had been issued mere hours before the explosions. He concludes the attacks were most likely indiscriminate.{{Cite web |last=Milanovic |first=Marko |date=20 September 2024 |title=Were the Israeli Pager and Walkie-Talkie Attacks on Hezbollah Indiscriminate? |url=https://www.ejiltalk.org/were-the-israeli-pager-and-walkie-talkie-attacks-on-hezbollah-indiscriminate/ |access-date=27 September 2024 |website=EJIL: Talk! |language=English}}

Booby traps are mostly outlawed under the Protocol on Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices ("Amended Protocol II") of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons,{{r|OliphantConfino}} to which Israel is a party.{{Cite news |last=Boothby |first=William H. |date=18 September 2024 |title=Exploding Pagers and the Law |url=https://lieber.westpoint.edu/exploding-pagers-law/ |access-date=18 September 2024 |work=Articles of War |publisher=Lieber Institute for Law & Warfare |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924021723/https://lieber.westpoint.edu/exploding-pagers-law/ |url-status=live }} Article 7.2 of Amended Protocol II prohibits the use of "booby-traps or other devices in the form of apparently harmless portable objects which are specifically designed and constructed to contain explosive material".{{r|OliphantConfino|Boothby}}{{cite web |url=https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/ccw-amended-protocol-ii-1996/article-7 |title=Article 7 – Prohibitions on the use of booby-traps and other devices |series=Protocol II to the 1980 CCW Convention as amended on 3 May 1996 |publisher=International Humanitarian Law Databases |via=International Committee of the Red Cross |date=3 May 1996 |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920194000/https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/ccw-amended-protocol-ii-1996/article-7 |url-status=live }}

The rules of engagement of some countries, such as the United Kingdom, also ban explosive devices disguised as harmless items.{{r|OliphantConfino}}{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7952bfe5274a2acd18bda5/JSP3832004Edition.pdf |title=The Joint Service Manual of the Law Of Armed Conflict |id=JSP383 |publisher=Ministry of Defence |pages=105–107 |quote=6.7.3 Where combat between ground forces is neither taking place nor appears imminent, booby-traps may not be used at all in populated areas unless ... measures are taken to protect civilians from their effects, for example, the posting of warning [signs, the posting of] sentries, the issue of warnings or the provision of fences. 6.7.4 'It is prohibited to use booby-traps in the form of apparently harmless portable objects which are specifically designed and constructed to contain explosive material.' |year=2004 |access-date=19 September 2024}} The United States Department of Defense Law of War Manual gives watches, cameras, tobacco pipes, and headphones as examples of such items,{{r|Boothby}} which are prohibited to "prevent the production of large quantities of dangerous objects that can be scattered around and are likely to be attractive to civilians, especially children".{{r|OliphantConfino}}{{cite web |title=Law of War Manual |url=https://media.defense.gov/2023/Jul/31/2003271432/-1/-1/0/DOD-LAW-OF-WAR-MANUAL-JUNE-2015-UPDATED-JULY%202023.PDF#page=426 |publisher=United States Department of Defense |date=July 2023 |orig-date=June 2015 |page=398 |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924021057/https://media.defense.gov/2023/Jul/31/2003271432/-1/-1/0/DOD-LAW-OF-WAR-MANUAL-JUNE-2015-UPDATED-JULY%202023.PDF#page=426 |url-status=live }}

Brian Finucane, an adviser at the International Crisis Group and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the New York University School of Law, noted that the Law of War Manual gives "exploding WWII-era communications headsets" as a specific example of prohibited booby traps, but also noted that "the United States submitted an understanding to Amended Protocol II that 'the prohibition contained in Article 7(2) of the Amended Mines Protocol does not preclude the expedient adaptation or adaptation in advance of other objects for use as booby-traps or other devices.{{'"}}

William H. Boothby, retired Deputy Director of Royal Air Force Legal Services, wrote that the likelihood is that "once the arming signal has been sent, the devices used against Hezbollah in Lebanon fall within Article 7(2) and are therefore prohibited on that basis."{{r|Boothby}}

Lama Fakih, Middle East and North Africa Director at Human Rights Watch, stated: "Customary international humanitarian law prohibits the use of booby traps – objects that civilians are likely to be attracted to or are associated with normal civilian daily use – precisely to avoid putting civilians at grave risk and produce the devastating scenes that continue to unfold across Lebanon today."

Janina Dill of the Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict doubted the attacks were proportionate because people carry pagers to different places, including taking them home. She questioned whether, given hundreds of pagers exploding simultaneously, it was even possible for the attacker to make a meaningful calculation on the expected harm to civilians. British human rights lawyer Geoffrey Nice said the attack was committed without regard to proportion, stating, "The pagers and walkie-talkies were of unknown position and destination when they were activated, therefore, it was impossible for Israel to contemplate whether the outcome would be proportionate".{{cite web |title='We're dealing with criminal wars' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/21/israels-war-on-gaza-live-inconceivable-toll-of-human-suffering-in-gaza?update=3192999 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=22 September 2024 |archive-date=21 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921145631/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/21/israels-war-on-gaza-live-inconceivable-toll-of-human-suffering-in-gaza?update=3192999 |url-status=live }}

Milanovic writes that a proportionality analysis requires considering two sets of civilians:

• civilians to whom the pagers were issued
• bystanders near the pager at the time of the explosion

Israel could argue, he writes, that the likelihood of harm to the second set of civilians would be low given the small size of pager explosives. But the first set of civilians would be seriously harmed with a high likelihood. Former Mossad agents said that Mossad tested the explosives to minimize injury to bystanders.

Raphael Cohen, a senior political scientist with the RAND Corporation, pointed out that it was "a whole lot more targeted than dropping a 2,000-pound bomb".

A senior Lebanese security source told Al-Hadath that Israel had infiltrated the communication systems of individual devices, leading to their detonation. The office of Prime Minister Mikati said the incident was a criminal "violation of Lebanese sovereignty" by Israel. The government contacted the United Nations, asking them to hold Israel responsible for the attack. Health Minister Firas Abiad praised the health system's response, noting the system was able to "get care to those who needed it, especially for those with serious injuries".{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-pager-blasts-test-war-readiness-lebanons-hospitals-2024-09-18/|title=Hezbollah pager blasts test war readiness of Lebanon's hospitals| date= 18 September 2024| work=Reuters| first1= Emilie | last1= Madi |first2=Timour |last2=Azhari}}

Lebanese journalist Mohammad Barakat, known for his anti-Hezbollah views, called the pager attacks a "Lebanese 9/11".{{Cite web |last1=Jadah |first1=Malek |last2=Abdallah |first2=Muntasser |last3=Chaaban |first3=Tasnim |last4=Frakes |first4=Nicholas |last5=AlJoud |first5=Sally Abou |date=17 September 2024 |title=More than 9 killed, including Hezbollah MP son, and 2,800 injured in Lebanon pager blasts: Day 347 of the Gaza war |url=https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1427350/netanyahu-sets-return-of-israelis-evacuated-from-northern-israeli-towns-as-new-target-day-347-of-the-gaza-war.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918053843/https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1427350/netanyahu-sets-return-of-israelis-evacuated-from-northern-israeli-towns-as-new-target-day-347-of-the-gaza-war.html |archive-date=18 September 2024 |website=L'Orient Today}} The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported that "the enemy succeeded in directing its harshest blows to the body of the Islamic Resistance since the beginning of the conflict with the enemy, in an exceptional security operation in terms of the ability to reach targets and means".{{Cite news |last=Al-Amin |first=Ibrahim |date=17 September 2024 |title=إسرائيل تنفّذ أكبر عملية أمنية في تاريخ الصراع: هل فُتحت أبواب حرب بلا ضوابط ولا أسقف ولا حدود؟ |trans-title=Israel carries out the largest security operation in the history of the conflict: Have the doors of war been opened without controls, ceilings or borders? |url=https://www.al-akhbar.com/Politics/387025/%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%81-%D8%B0-%D8%A3%D9%83%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D9%87%D9%84-%D9%81-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AA-%D8%A3%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%A7-%D8%B6%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B7-%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7-%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%82%D9%81-%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7-%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%AF |work=al-akhbar.com |language=ar |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=18 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918172634/https://www.al-akhbar.com/Politics/387025/%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%81-%D8%B0-%D8%A3%D9%83%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D9%87%D9%84-%D9%81-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AA-%D8%A3%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%A7-%D8%B6%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B7-%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7-%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%82%D9%81-%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7-%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%AF |url-status=live }}

On 6 November 2024, Lebanon filed a complaint against Israel in the International Labour Organization (ILO) over the attacks, with labour minister Mustafa Bayram citing the threats posed by the explosions to workplace safety as his reason to submit the complaint to the ILO.{{cite news |title=Lebanon files UN complaint against Israel over pager attacks |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241106-lebanon-files-un-complaint-against-israel-over-pager-attacks |access-date=6 November 2024 |work=France 24 |date=6 November 2024 |language=en }}

Hezbollah described Israel's attacks as "criminal aggression" and pledged a "just retribution". Those close to the group described a state of shock following the explosions. Lebanese analyst Qassim Qassir said the attacks mostly struck civilian workers within Hezbollah, and not fighters.{{Cite web |date=19 September 2024 |title=The exploding device attacks dealt a major but not crippling blow to Hezbollah, analysts say |url=https://apnews.com/article/hezbollah-israel-exploding-pagers-walkie-talkies-devices-b8506471525e3848023b1d6a863827e8 |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924022238/https://apnews.com/article/hezbollah-israel-exploding-pagers-walkie-talkies-devices-b8506471525e3848023b1d6a863827e8 |url-status=live }}

Eight days before his assassination on 27 September 2024, Hezbollah's Secretary-General Nasrallah called the attack a "severe blow", describing it as "unprecedented" for Hezbollah, Lebanon and possibly the region. He added that Israel had crossed all "red lines".{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-exploding-devices-hezbollah-mideast-ab2436cf5bae5e2fe2dddb293671a0ac |title=Hezbollah leader says pager attack crossed a 'red line' as fears of wider war with Israel mount |date=19 September 2024 |work=Associated Press |first1=Kareem |last1=Chehayeb |access-date=23 September 2024 |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923023311/https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-exploding-devices-hezbollah-mideast-ab2436cf5bae5e2fe2dddb293671a0ac |url-status=live }} Nasrallah challenged the IDF to invade Lebanon, claiming Hezbollah was ready, and said that Israelis displaced in the north would only be allowed to return if Israel ceased the invasion of Gaza.{{cite news |title=Nasrallah dares Israel to invade Lebanon in speech, calls it 'historic opportunity' |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-820907 |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=19 September 2024 |language=en |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923023349/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-820907 |url-status=live }}

On the morning of 22 September, Hezbollah retaliated by firing dozens of rockets at northern Israel.{{Cite web |date=22 September 2024 |title=Hezbollah fires over 100 rockets across a wider and deeper area of Israel as fears of war mount |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-news-09-22-2024-fb1aa8ae061885ba86855f7fe9ec5be7 |access-date=22 September 2024 |website=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=22 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922050000/https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-news-09-22-2024-fb1aa8ae061885ba86855f7fe9ec5be7 |url-status=live }} Some of the rockets were intercepted over Haifa and Nazareth. In Kiryat Bialik, two houses were struck. Four people were wounded by shrapnel: three older men, and a teenage girl. A rocket struck Nazareth, causing a large fire in the city, and in Beit She'arim, a barn was hit, killing several cows.

File:Grafitiyul and Liran.Tap - Hassan Nasrallah with pager in HaTnufa street 01.jpg on a building in Tel Aviv showing Hassan Nasrallah's face on the body of a bulldog holding a pager with the message "Game Over".]]

File:Golden pager gift from Netanyahu to Trump.jpg to Donald Trump commemorating the pager attacks. The message on the commemorative pager, "Press with both hands", is a reference to reports that prior to exploding, the pagers had an encrypted message that required two buttons be simultaneously pressed, which in practice meant both hands had to be used.{{cite news|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkslk21yjx|publisher=Ynet|date=October 6, 2024|first=Daniel |last=Edelson|title=Trojan horse inside Hezbollah: New details on Lebanon pager attack}}]]

According to Axios, Israeli officials said they were aware of the risk of major escalation on the northern border and that the IDF was on high alert for Hezbollah's retaliation.{{Cite news |last=Ravid |first=Barak |date=17 September 2024 |title=Israel didn't tell U.S. in advance about Hezbollah pager attack, officials said |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/09/17/hezbollah-pager-explosion-israel-didnt-tell-biden-administration |access-date=18 September 2024 |work=Axios |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919092318/https://www.axios.com/2024/09/17/hezbollah-pager-explosion-israel-didnt-tell-biden-administration |url-status=live }} The Israeli news website Walla cited unnamed officials reportedly saying that "Israeli intelligence services assessed before the operation that Hezbollah might respond with a significant counterattack against Israel."{{cite news |last=Sio |first=Mohammad |date=17 September 2024 |title=Netanyahu approved pager explosions in Lebanon: Israeli media |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/netanyahu-approved-pager-explosions-in-lebanon-israeli-media/3332965 |work=Anadolu Agency |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920055231/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/netanyahu-approved-pager-explosions-in-lebanon-israeli-media/3332965 |url-status=live }} Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced the beginning of a "new phase" in the conflict with Hezbollah, and that the IDF was redirecting forces and resources to the North.{{cite news |title=Israeli defense minister: A 'new phase of war' has begun |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/israel-defense-minister-yoav-gallant-new-phase-war-hezbollah/ |access-date=18 September 2024 |work=POLITICO |date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919155400/https://www.politico.eu/article/israel-defense-minister-yoav-gallant-new-phase-war-hezbollah/ |url-status=live }}

On the day of the first wave of attacks, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid was on a trip to the United States to discuss a "ceasefire-for-hostages deal between Israel and Hamas". He cut his trip short and returned to Israel in response to the attack.

Shortly after the attack, many Israeli figures and pro-Israel accounts on social media celebrated the attacks and mocked the victims. Internet personality Noya Cohen posted a video wearing a headscarf and speaking in mock Arabic, before picking up a phone which explodes. Similar content was posted across pro-Israel accounts, while Israeli social media influencer Einav Avizemer called the attack an "operation below the belt."{{Cite web |last=Aladam |first=Mera |date=20 September 2024 |title='Inhumane': Social media users condemn posts mocking victims of deadly Lebanon blasts |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/trending/israel-supporters-mock-lebanons-deadly-pager-attacks |access-date=21 September 2024 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920220627/https://www.middleeasteye.net/trending/israel-supporters-mock-lebanons-deadly-pager-attacks |url-status=live }} Memes were widely shared, including one naming a pager as the new Mossad agent "Motti Rola"{{efn|Motti is an Israeli nickname for the Hebrew name Mordechai, and the combined first and last name of "Motti Rola" is a play on the brand Motorola.}} and another showing a deceased Hezbollah fighter with missing genitals due to an exploding pager.{{Cite web |last=Silow-Carroll |first=Andrew |date=20 September 2024 |title=No laughing matter? Hezbollah pager explosions become fodder for online jokes |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/no-laughing-matter-hezbollah-pager-explosions-become-fodder-for-online-jokes/ |access-date=21 September 2024 |website=The Times of Israel}}

During his trip to the United States in February 2025, Benjamin Netanyahu gifted US President Donald Trump a commemorative golden pager. Trump is said to have responded with "that was a great operation".{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/report-netanyahu-gifted-trump-a-golden-pager-us-president-that-was-a-great-operation/|title=Report: Netanyahu gifted Trump a golden pager; US president: 'That was a great operation'|date=February 5, 2025|publisher=The Times of Israel}}

In April 2025, three Mossad agents who were involved in the operation were selected to light a torch on Mount Herzl for the Torch-Lighting Ceremony to kick-off Israel's 77th Independence Day.{{cite web|title= 3 Mossad agents who led pager operation in Lebanon to light Independence Day torch|url= https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1ioj4b1lx#|website=Ynet|date=22 April 2025}}

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the United Nations special coordinator for Lebanon, condemned the attack, saying "civilians are not a target and must be protected at all times".{{cite news |first1=Christian |last1=Edwards |first2=Adrienne |last2=Vogt |first3=Aditi |last3=Sangal |title=Pagers explode across Lebanon in attack targeting Hezbollah members, source says: Live updates |url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/lebanon-pagers-attack-hezbollah#h_a0cf8464c5edb4ee82690311dcc18553 |work=CNN |date=17 September 2024 |language=en |access-date=17 September 2024 |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923023413/https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/lebanon-pagers-attack-hezbollah#h_a0cf8464c5edb4ee82690311dcc18553 |url-status=live }} Stéphane Dujarric, the Secretary-General's spokesperson, said the organization deplored the civilian casualties and warned of the risks of escalation in the region.{{cite news |title=Lebanon: 9 killed, thousands injured in pagers' explosion |url=https://www.dw.com/en/lebanon-9-killed-thousands-injured-in-pagers-explosion/a-70241394 |access-date=18 September 2024 |agency=Deutsche Welle |date=17 September 2024 |archive-date=18 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918064124/https://www.dw.com/en/lebanon-9-killed-thousands-injured-in-pagers-explosion/a-70241394 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General |url=https://press.un.org/en/2024/db240917.doc.htm |access-date=18 September 2024 |agency=United Nations: Meetings Coverage and Press Releases |date=17 September 2024 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920055559/https://press.un.org/en/2024/db240917.doc.htm |url-status=live }} Speaking on 18 September, Secretary-General António Guterres stressed that "civilian objects" should not be weaponized.{{Cite web |date=18 September 2024 |title='Civilian objects' should not be weaponised: UN chief on Lebanon pager explosions |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/europe/civilian-objects-should-not-be-weaponised-un-chief-on-lebanon-pager-explosions |access-date=18 September 2024 |website=Khaleej Times |language=en |agency=AFP |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920055741/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/europe/civilian-objects-should-not-be-weaponised-un-chief-on-lebanon-pager-explosions |url-status=live }} The Security Council held an emergency session on 20 September to address the situation.{{cite news |title=Urgently Calling for Ceasefire, Senior Officials, Speakers Warn Security Council that Events in Lebanon, Escalating Regional Violence Could Lead to All-Out War |url=https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15828.doc.htm |access-date=20 September 2024 |agency=United Nations Meetings Coverage: Security Council, 9730th meeting |date=20 September 2024 |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923023413/https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15828.doc.htm |url-status=live }} Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, issued a statement saying that "Simultaneous targeting of thousands of individuals, whether civilians or members of armed groups, without knowledge as to who was in possession of the targeted devices, their location and their surroundings at the time of the attack, violates international human rights law and, to the extent applicable, international humanitarian law."{{cite web | last=Fabian | first=Emanuel | title=UN rights chief demands accountability for Lebanon pager blasts | website=The Times of Israel | date=18 September 2024 | url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/un-rights-chief-demands-accountability-for-lebanon-pager-blasts/ | access-date=18 September 2024 | archive-date=18 September 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918192454/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/un-rights-chief-demands-accountability-for-lebanon-pager-blasts/ | url-status=live }} Amnesty international condemned the attacks, calling it a violation of international law.{{Cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/09/lebanon-establish-international-investigation-into-deadly-attacks-using-exploding-portable-devices/|title=Lebanon: Establish international investigation into deadly attacks using exploding portable devices|date=20 September 2024|website=Amnesty International}}

European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell condemned the attack, saying they were aimed "to spread terror in Lebanon".{{Cite web |date=18 September 2024 |title=EU foreign affairs chief decries civilian casualties in Lebanon pager attacks |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-thousands-injured-in-lebanon-pager-explosions?update=3186546 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920090742/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-thousands-injured-in-lebanon-pager-explosions?update=3186546 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=EU's Borrell says Lebanon attacks aimed to 'spread terror' |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-820903 |website=The Jerusalem Post |date=19 September 2024 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=22 September 2024 |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923023314/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-820903 |url-status=live }}

The Iraq-based pro-Iranian militia groups Kata'ib Hezbollah and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba offered medical and military assistance to Hezbollah.{{Cite web |date=18 September 2024 |title=Iraqi armed group offers to send fighters, equipment to Hezbollah |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-thousands-injured-in-lebanon-pager-explosions?update=3185772 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923023317/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-thousands-injured-in-lebanon-pager-explosions?update=3185772 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=18 September 2024 |title=Iran Update, September 18, 2024 |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-september-18-2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919212117/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-september-18-2024 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |access-date=19 September 2024 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}}

The Palestinian organization Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, described the attacks as a "crime that defies all laws". In a statement, Hamas praised Hezbollah's "efforts and sacrifices" and said "this terrorist act is part of the Zionist enemy's larger aggression on the region".

{{ill|Mohammed Abdelsalam|ar|محمد عبد السلام (ناطق رسمي)}}, the spokesperson of the Houthis who govern much of Yemen, called the attacks "a heinous crime and a violation of Lebanese sovereignty" and said that Lebanon was "capable of deterring the Zionist enemy entity and making it pay a heavy price for any escalation." Hours after the explosions and two days after firing a supersonic ballistic missile at Tel Aviv, the deputy head of the Houthis' media authority, Nasr Al-Din Amer, said the group was ready to send thousands of fighters to Lebanon in the event of war with Israel.{{Cite news |date=18 September 2024 |title=Houthis: Thousands of fighters ready to go to Lebanon if war breaks out |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240918-houthis-thousands-of-fighters-ready-to-go-to-lebanon-if-war-breaks-out/ |url-status=live |work=Middle East Monitor |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=18 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918134009/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240918-houthis-thousands-of-fighters-ready-to-go-to-lebanon-if-war-breaks-out/ }}

• {{Flag|Egypt}}: President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, reaffirmed Lebanon's security, stability, and sovereignty and said that his government rejects any "attempts to escalate the conflict and expand its scope regionally", calling on all parties to act responsibly.{{Cite news |date=18 September 2024 |title=Egypt urges end to Israel violations in West Bank, escalating policies against Palestinians: El-Sisi to Blinken |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/1234/532054/Egypt/Foreign-Affairs/Egypt-urges-end-to-Israel-violations-in-West-Bank,.aspx |url-status= |access-date=18 September 2024 |work=Ahram Online}} Egypt also offered medical assistance.{{Cite web |title=Exploding pagers used in apparent Israeli attack on Hezbollah made in Hungary, accused firm says |url=https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-exploding-pagers-hezbollah-syria-ce6af3c2e6de0a0dddfae48634278288 |access-date=18 September 2024 |website=Associated Press |date=18 September 2024 |language=en |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920075020/https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-exploding-pagers-hezbollah-syria-ce6af3c2e6de0a0dddfae48634278288 |url-status=live }}
• {{Flag|Palestine}}: The Palestinian Authority denounced the attack, fearing an escalation in Lebanon.{{Cite web |date=18 September 2024 |title=Palestinian Authority warns of 'dangerous escalation' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-thousands-injured-in-lebanon-pager-explosions?update=3187796 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=23 September 2024 |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923023317/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-thousands-injured-in-lebanon-pager-explosions?update=3187796 |url-status=live }}
• {{Flag|Iran}}: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi referred to the attacks as "Israeli terrorism" and pledged to provide medical assistance to those affected. Foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani called the attack as an "example of mass murder" by the "Zionist regime".{{Cite web |date=18 September 2024 |title=Iran accuses Israel of 'mass murder' after pager explosions: Foreign ministry |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-thousands-injured-in-lebanon-pager-explosions?update=3186257 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=21 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921055351/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-thousands-injured-in-lebanon-pager-explosions?update=3186257 |url-status=live }} Iran dispatched a medical team of twelve doctors, twelve nurses and the president of the Iranian Red Crescent Society to Lebanon to provide medical assistance.{{Cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-thousands-injured-in-lebanon-pager-explosions?update=3185976 |title=Iranian Red Crescent arrives in Lebanon |first1=Urooba |last1=Jamal |first2=Federica |last2=Marsi |date=18 September 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920144029/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-thousands-injured-in-lebanon-pager-explosions?update=3185976 |url-status=live }}
• {{Flag|Iraq}}: The government provided medical supplies to Lebanese hospitals following the first wave of attacks. It also said that it will strengthen controls at its borders to avoid any "infiltration" or security risk with the imports of electronic equipment. The Iraqi Red Crescent Society and the Popular Mobilization Forces sent planes with aid to Beirut to help the victims of the attack.{{Cite web |date=21 September 2024 |title=Iran Update, September 21, 2024 |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-september-21-2024 |access-date=22 September 2024 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924021503/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-september-21-2024 |url-status=live }}
• {{Flagcountry|Ba'athist Syria}}: The Syrian foreign ministry issued a statement expressing solidarity with the Lebanese people and saying it "stands by their side in their right to defend themselves" while condemning the blasts and accusing Israel of "its desire to expand the scope of the war and its thirst to shed more blood". It called on nations to "unequivocally condemn this aggression".{{Cite web |last=Najjar |first=Farah |title=Nine killed, 2,750 wounded in Hezbollah pager blasts across Lebanon |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/17/israels-war-on-gaza-live-38-killed-as-israel-risks-becoming-pariah |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920062337/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/17/israels-war-on-gaza-live-38-killed-as-israel-risks-becoming-pariah |url-status=live }} Syria also offered medical assistance.{{Cite web |date=18 September 2024 |title=Walkie-talkie explosions injure hundreds in Lebanon a day after pager attacks. Here's how the news unfolded |url=https://apnews.com/live/lebanon-syria-pagers-hezbollah-updates |access-date=22 September 2024 |website=Associated Press |archive-date=22 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922002743/https://apnews.com/live/lebanon-syria-pagers-hezbollah-updates |url-status=live }}
• {{Flag|Turkey}}: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized Israel during a phone call with Lebanese Prime Minister Mikati, saying that its attempts to spread conflicts in the region are "extremely dangerous" and that Turkey's efforts to stop "Israeli aggression" will continue.{{cite news |date=18 September 2024 |title=Israel's attempts to spread conflicts in region extremely dangerous: Turkish president |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israels-attempts-to-spread-conflicts-in-region-extremely-dangerous-turkish-president/3333467 |work=Anadolu Agency |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=18 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918132202/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israels-attempts-to-spread-conflicts-in-region-extremely-dangerous-turkish-president/3333467 |url-status=live }}{{Better source needed|reason=Insufficiently independent (WP:ANADOLU)|date=September 2024}} Turkey also offered medical assistance.
• {{Flag|Qatar}}: Minister of State for International Cooperation Lolwah Al-Khater, called the international community's lack of a response to the attack "terrifying", and stated, "These mobile ticking bombs indiscriminately injure and kill people in public and civilian spaces, when did this become acceptable?"{{cite web |title=Qatari minister says international community's silence on Lebanon blasts 'terrifying' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/20/israels-war-on-gaza-live-israeli-attacks-kill-dozens-in-gaza-west-bank-2?update=3190969 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=21 September 2024 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924021447/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/20/israels-war-on-gaza-live-israeli-attacks-kill-dozens-in-gaza-west-bank-2?update=3190969 |url-status=live }}

• {{Flag|Belgium}}: Deputy prime minister Petra De Sutter condemned the "massive terror attack in Lebanon and Syria".{{Cite web |date=18 September 2024 |title=Belgium's deputy PM denounces 'terror attack' in Lebanon and Syria |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-thousands-injured-in-lebanon-pager-explosions?update=3186244 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-date=21 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921055352/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-thousands-injured-in-lebanon-pager-explosions?update=3186244 |url-status=live }}
• {{Flag|China}}: Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian stated that China is closely following the attacks and opposed any act which "infringes on Lebanon's sovereignty and security". Lin also expressed concerns over possible escalations in the region.{{cite web|url=https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt/202409/t20240919_11493204.html|title=Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on September 19, 2024|work=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China|access-date=20 September 2024|archive-date=24 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924021543/https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt/202409/t20240919_11493204.html|url-status=live}} At an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council convened following the attacks, permanent representative Fu Cong called for "the parties to exercise maximum restraint". Fu said the attacks were "so outrageously brutal and atrocious that they deserve nothing less than condemnation in the strongest terms". He called for a "prompt, full investigation".{{Cite web |last=Cai |first=Tiancheng |date=21 September 2024 |title=联合国: 黎巴嫩通讯设备爆炸事件或构成战争罪 |trans-title=United Nations: Lebanon telecommunications device explosions may constitute war crimes |url=https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/world/story20240921-4802112 |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=Lianhe Zaobao |language=zh-Hans |archive-date=21 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921155526/https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/world/story20240921-4802112 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=21 September 2024 |title=安理會會議以黎互指摘 聯合國人權專員: 以用通訊設備施襲或屬戰爭罪行 |trans-title=Israel and Lebanon trade accusations at Security Council meeting. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Israel's use of communications devices for attacks may constitute war crimes |url=https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E5%9C%8B%E9%9A%9B/article/20240921/s00005/1726888783601/%E5%AE%89%E7%90%86%E6%9C%83%E6%9C%83%E8%AD%B0%E4%BB%A5%E9%BB%8E%E4%BA%92%E6%8C%87%E6%91%98-%E8%81%AF%E5%90%88%E5%9C%8B%E4%BA%BA%E6%AC%8A%E5%B0%88%E5%93%A1-%E4%BB%A5%E7%94%A8%E9%80%9A%E8%A8%8A%E8%A8%AD%E5%82%99%E6%96%BD%E8%A5%B2%E6%88%96%E5%B1%AC%E6%88%B0%E7%88%AD%E7%BD%AA%E8%A1%8C |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=Ming Pao |language=zh-hant |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924022242/https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%E5%9C%8B%E9%9A%9B/article/20240921/s00005/1726888783601/%E5%AE%89%E7%90%86%E6%9C%83%E6%9C%83%E8%AD%B0%E4%BB%A5%E9%BB%8E%E4%BA%92%E6%8C%87%E6%91%98-%E8%81%AF%E5%90%88%E5%9C%8B%E4%BA%BA%E6%AC%8A%E5%B0%88%E5%93%A1-%E4%BB%A5%E7%94%A8%E9%80%9A%E8%A8%8A%E8%A8%AD%E5%82%99%E6%96%BD%E8%A5%B2%E6%88%96%E5%B1%AC%E6%88%B0%E7%88%AD%E7%BD%AA%E8%A1%8C |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=20 September 2024 |title=Remarks by Ambassador Fu Cong at the UN Security Council Briefing on the Lebanese-Israeli Situation |url=https://un.china-mission.gov.cn/eng/hyyfy/202409/t20240921_11494229.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921060024/https://un.china-mission.gov.cn/eng/hyyfy/202409/t20240921_11494229.htm |archive-date=21 September 2024 |access-date=21 September 2024 |work=Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the UN}}
• {{Flag|France}}: President Emmanuel Macron addressed the Lebanese people in a video, expressing his support and emphasizing that "war is not inevitable" and a "diplomatic path exists".{{Cite web |date=20 September 2024 |title=Emmanuel Macron assure les Libanais de son soutien dans une vidéo : "Nous devons refuser la fatalité de la guerre" |url=https://www.i24news.tv/fr/actu/france/artc-emmanuel-macron-assure-les-libanais-de-son-soutien-dans-une-video-nous-devons-refuser-la-fatalite-de-la-guerre |access-date=20 September 2024 |website=i24NEWS |language=fr |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920090526/https://www.i24news.tv/fr/actu/france/artc-emmanuel-macron-assure-les-libanais-de-son-soutien-dans-une-video-nous-devons-refuser-la-fatalite-de-la-guerre |url-status=live }}
• {{Flag|Ireland}}: Foreign Minister Micheál Martin condemned the attack, saying it endangered the lives of civilians and violated the Geneva Convention on indiscriminate attacks. Prime Minister Simon Harris criticized the attack and called for de-escalation.{{cite news |title=Pager attack showed 'wanton disregard' for civilian life, Martin says |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/national/24592500.pager-attack-showed-wanton-disregard-civilian-life-martin-says/ |work=The Argus |date=18 September 2024 |access-date=23 September 2024 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920062458/https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/national/24592500.pager-attack-showed-wanton-disregard-civilian-life-martin-says/ |url-status=live }}
• {{Flag|Malaysia}}: The Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, stating that it undermines Lebanon's security, stability, and sovereignty.{{cite news |title=Malaysia condemns deadly cyber-related attacks in Lebanon |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/19/malaysia-condemns-deadly-cyber-related-attacks-in-lebanon |work=The Star |date=19 September 2024 |accessdate=20 September 2024 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920031701/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/19/malaysia-condemns-deadly-cyber-related-attacks-in-lebanon |url-status=live }}
• {{Flag|Norway}}: The country is investigating whether a Norwegian-owned company is linked to the attack.{{Cite web |date=25 September 2024 |title=Norway investigates possible link into Lebanon pager explosions |url=https://aje.io/6c6745?update=3201338 |website=Al Jazeera}} Norwegian police also issued an international search request for a Norwegian-Indian man linked to the sale of pagers to Hezbollah.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/norway-issues-global-search-request-for-man-linked-to-exploding-hezbollah-pager|title=Norway issues global search request for man linked to exploding Hezbollah pagers | The Times of Israel|website=The Times of Israel }}
• {{Flag|Russia}}: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova condemned the attack, adding that it requires investigation and international attention.{{Cite web |date=18 September 2024 |title=Russia Condemns Lebanon Pager Blasts, Warns of Worsening Tensions |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/09/18/russia-condemns-lebanon-pager-blasts-warns-of-worsening-tensions-a86403 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918193737/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/09/18/russia-condemns-lebanon-pager-blasts-warns-of-worsening-tensions-a86403 |archive-date=18 September 2024 |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=The Moscow Times}}{{Cite web |date=18 September 2024 |title=Pager explosion in Lebanon 'requires investigation': Russia |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-thousands-injured-in-lebanon-pager-explosions?update=3186119 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921055502/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-thousands-injured-in-lebanon-pager-explosions?update=3186119 |archive-date=21 September 2024 |website=Al Jazeera}} Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the attacks were "leading to an escalation of tensions" in the region.{{Cite web |agency=AFP |date=18 September 2024 |title=Russia Condemns Lebanon Pager Blasts, Warns of Worsening Tensions |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/09/18/russia-condemns-lebanon-pager-blasts-warns-of-worsening-tensions-a86403 |access-date=21 September 2024 |website=The Moscow Times |language=en |archive-date=18 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918193737/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/09/18/russia-condemns-lebanon-pager-blasts-warns-of-worsening-tensions-a86403 |url-status=live }}
• {{Flag|South Korea}}: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said the government was closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East with concern and urged the relevant parties to seek a peaceful solution through dialogue.{{Cite news |date=19 September 2024 |title=Gov't: No S. Korean Casualties Reported in Device Explosions in Lebanon |url=https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=187995 |work=KBS World |access-date=23 September 2024 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920055557/https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=187995 |url-status=live }}
• {{Flag|United Kingdom}}: Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed concern about "rising tensions and civilian casualties" and urged British citizens to leave Lebanon as the situation "could deteriorate rapidly". He said the UK government wanted to see a negotiated political settlement "to restore stability and security", so that both Israelis and Lebanese people could return to their homes.{{Cite news |last=France |first=Anthony |date=19 September 2024 |title=David Lammy urges Britons to leave Lebanon as Israel-Hezbollah conflict escalates after walkie-talkie blasts |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/britons-leave-lebanon-fco-travel-advice-david-lammy-war-israel-b1183056.html |access-date=20 September 2024 |work=Evening Standard |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924021503/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/britons-leave-lebanon-fco-travel-advice-david-lammy-war-israel-b1183056.html |url-status=live }}
• {{Flag|United States}}: State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller denied involvement in the attacks and said that the country was not aware of them in advance. The United States also urged Iran to refrain from retaliating.{{Cite web |date=17 September 2024 |title=US Says 'Not Involved' In Lebanon Pager Blasts; Urges Iran To Avoid Actions Furthering Tensions |url=https://www.news18.com/world/us-urges-iran-to-avoid-actions-furthering-tensions-after-pager-blasts-in-lebanon-9054499.html |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=News18 |language=en |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920061208/https://www.news18.com/world/us-urges-iran-to-avoid-actions-furthering-tensions-after-pager-blasts-in-lebanon-9054499.html |url-status=live }} White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stressed the need for a diplomatic solution between Israel and Hezbollah. Asked whether the attack might have constituted terrorism, she replied, "obviously children being harmed, people being harmed is difficult to see and not something that we want to see".{{cite web | url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-administration-treads-diplomatic-tightrope-after-device-attacks/story?id=113842804 | title=Biden administration treads diplomatic tightrope after device attacks on Hezbollah | website=ABC News | access-date=22 September 2024 | archive-date=22 September 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922023021/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-administration-treads-diplomatic-tightrope-after-device-attacks/story?id=113842804 | url-status=live }}

{{div col}}

• Assassination of Fuad Shukr
• Assassination of Ismail Haniyeh
• Assassination of Mahmoud Hamshari
• Assassination of Yahya Ayyash
• Black operation
• Israel and state-sponsored terrorism
• List of Israeli assassinations
• Targeted killing by Israel

{{div col end}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite news |last=Marx |first=Willem |date=20 September 2024 |title=Did exploding pagers attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon violate international law? |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/09/20/g-s1-23812/lebanon-israel-exploding-pagers-hezbollah-international-law |access-date=20 September 2024 |work=NPR}}

{{Gaza war}}

{{Iran–Israel proxy conflict}}

{{Targeted killing by Israel}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lebanon electronic device attacks, 2024}}

Category:2024 in international relations

Category:2020s crimes in Beirut

Category:September 2024 crimes in Asia

Electronic device attacks

Category:Improvised explosive device bombings in 2024

Category:Acts of sabotage

Category:Beirut in the Israeli–Lebanese conflict

Category:Cross-border operations of Israel into Lebanon

Category:Extrajudicial killings by the Israeli military

Category:Filmed improvised explosive device bombings

Category:Filmed killings in Asia

Category:Improvised explosive device bombings in Beirut

Category:Improvised explosive device bombings in Lebanon

Category:Targeted killing by Israel

Category:Mossad operations

Category:Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)

Category:Middle Eastern crisis (2023–present)

Category:Israel–Lebanon relations

Category:Israel–Syria relations

Category:Lebanon–Syria relations

Category:Hezbollah

Category:Pagers

Category:Walkie-talkies

Category:Articles containing video clips