Fears of all-out-war remain high as second cycle of beeper explosion rock Lebanon; 20 killed, over 500 injured - Greater Kashmir

New Delhi, Sept 19: As Lebanon reels under a cycle second wave of a series of explosions, the country finds itself on the edge of a cliff, with fears of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah growing by the hour amid massive anxiety about what’s next.

On Wednesday, at least 20 people were killed and more than 450 wounded in a series of explosions that ripped through the southern suburbs of Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon areas long considered Hezbollah strongholds. The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed these figures on Wednesday.

The blasts, which Lebanese officials said were caused by Japanese-made walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah, come just a day after a similar incident involving Taiwanese-made pagers resulted in the deaths of 12 people and injuries to thousands more.

Both sets of explosions have escalated massive tension and fear in the region that already is tense with instability. Hezbollah and several political analysts have blamed Israel for the attacks, Israel has not commented on the matter.

The situation is further becoming war-like as the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced the redeployment of the 98th Division, which had been engaged in Gaza, to Israel’s northern frontier, signalling a potential escalation with Hezbollah.

Israel has started a limited mobilisation of reserve personnel to bolster its northern defences, including air defence, Home Front Command, and Medical Corps units.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that Israel was entering “a new phase in the war,” shifting resources and military capabilities to the north in response to what he described as an increasingly volatile situation.

“The commanders and the forces are completely committed—at peak preparedness for any task they will be required to do,” said Maj. Gen. Uri Gordin, head of the IDF’s Northern Command as reported by the local media.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Communications said that the pagers involved in Wednesday’s explosions were a discontinued model manufactured by the Japanese company Icom Inc. The IC-V82 radios, which have not been officially imported or licensed, are believed to be counterfeit versions circulating widely among Hezbollah fighters.

According to CNN, Icom has since launched an investigation, stating it would provide further information on its website once more details were available.

The company stressed that the IC-V82 model has been discontinued for some time and warned that most devices bearing its logo are likely counterfeit. “We are still gathering facts,” a spokesperson told CNN.

Meanwhile, the international community is watching with mounting concern. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for “maximum restraint” from all parties, warning of the “serious risk of escalation.” The UN Security Council is set to convene on Friday to discuss the recent events, reflecting the growing alarm over the situation in Lebanon.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed these sentiments, noting that the U.S. is “still gathering the facts” about the pager explosions and their potential impact on Hezbollah’s operations.

The Kremlin cautioned that the attack could potentially ignite a broader regional conflict, emphasising the need to determine “the causes and circumstances of the incident and to identify those responsible.”

A fire broke out in northern Israel after rockets were launched from Lebanon, according to Israel’s Fire and Rescue service. The IDF also reported the interception of a drone over the Mediterranean Sea, near the northern city of Rosh HaNikra, and another near Tiberias.

The blasts come amid increasing speculation about Hezbollah’s next moves. The group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, is expected to give a speech on Thursday that many fear could signal a further escalation.

Analysts warn that Lebanon, which has been skirting the edges of conflict with Israel for over a decade, is now closer than ever to the brink of war. Since the conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted in Gaza last year, Hezbollah has levelled-up its attacks against Israeli positions, after the latter intensified its assault on Gaza, Palestine

Israel has responded with airstrikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. According to the IDF, Israeli forces struck Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure in areas including Halta, Kfarkela, and the Occupied Golan Heights. “We will not tolerate any attacks on our citizens or territory,” the IDF said in a statement.

The blasts have not only raised the spectre of a broader conflict but have also deepened Lebanon’s internal crises. With the nation still reeling from a severe economic meltdown and political paralysis, the explosions are yet another blow to a country already facing difficulties. The weakened and fragmented Lebanese government struggles to maintain order amid growing public anger and fear.

Hezbollah’s media office announced the death of 13 of its fighters, including a 16-year-old boy, in Wednesday’s blasts. It also claimed responsibility for targeting Israeli forces near the border and in the Occupied Golan Heights, firing rockets at Israeli artillery positions throughout the day. While the IDF reported intercepting most of these projectiles, the incidents have only further inflamed tensions.

As the world waits for Nasrallah’s speech, the fear of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah looms large. Lebanon stands at a dangerous crossroads. Whether it can pull back from the brink remains to be seen, but the stakes have never been higher.