Josep Borrell, the European Union’s top diplomat, has strongly condemned a series of pager explosions in Lebanon that resulted in at least 12 deaths and approximately 2,750 injuries. The explosions, which occurred on Tuesday in multiple locations, primarily in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut, were reported by DPA.
“Even though these attacks seem to have been targeted, they have caused serious collateral damage to civilians, including children among the victims. I find this situation extremely concerning, and I can only condemn these attacks that jeopardize Lebanon’s security and stability while increasing the risk of escalation in the region,” Borrell stated.
Call for Peace
Borrell emphasized the need for all parties involved to avoid further conflict: “The European Union urges all stakeholders to avoid an all-out war, which would have severe consequences for the region and beyond.”
Accusations Against Israel
Lebanese organization Hezbollah and the regime in Tehran have blamed Israel for the attacks. According to The New York Times, Israel allegedly placed explosives in a batch of pagers manufactured in Taiwan and sold to the pro-Iranian Shiite group. Israel has yet to officially comment on the allegations.
Context of the Conflict
Relative peace that had persisted in Lebanon since the end of the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006 has turned into latent conflict. Tensions escalated after October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah reopened the front in support of the Palestinian group Hamas, fighting Israel in Gaza.
The current conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted after an unprecedented terrorist attack by Palestinian militants in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which claimed the lives of 1,205 people, mostly civilians. On the same day, Hamas kidnapped 251 individuals and transported them to Gaza.
In response, Israel launched massive airstrikes on Hamas positions in Gaza, followed by a ground offensive. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Israeli military actions from October 7 to midday Wednesday have resulted in 41,272 Palestinian deaths and 95,550 injuries.
