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Tag: Pager Explosions in Lebanon

  • Lebanon Blast: Qatar Airways Bans Passengers From Carrying Pagers, Walkie-Talkies On Lebanon Flights | Mobility News

    Lebanon Pager & Walkie-Talkie Explosion: Qatar Airways has prohibited all passengers flying from Beirut Rafic Harirl International Airport (BEY) from carrying pagers and walkie-talkies on board flights. The airlines said that the restriction applies to checked and carry-on luggage, as well as cargo, and will be enforced until further notice.

    In a post on X, Qatar Airways stated, “Effective immediately: Following the directive received from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of the Republic of Lebanon, all passengers flying from Beirut Rafic Harirl International Airport (BEY) are prohibited from carrying pagers and walkie-talkies on board flights. The ban applies to both checked and carry-on luggage, as well as cargo, and will be enforced until further notice.”

    The action follows walkie-talkies and pager explosions in Lebanon that resulted in devastating consequences. In the latest attacks on Wednesday, at least 20 people lost their lives and over 450 were injured in Lebanon, authorities said, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

    The latest attack came just a day after 12 people were killed and more than 2800 others were wounded in a coordinated explosion of pagers in Lebanon.

    Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Thursday announced that it had launched targeted strikes against Hezbollah terrorist capabilities and infrastructure in Lebanon, aiming to bring security to northern Israel to enable the return of residents to their homes and achieve war goals.

    In a post on X, the IDF stated, “The IDF is currently striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon to degrade Hezbollah’s terrorist capabilities and infrastructure. For decades, Hezbollah has weaponized civilian homes, dug tunnels beneath them and used civilians as human shields–having turned southern Lebanon into a war zone. The IDF is operating to bring security to northern Israel in order to enable the return of residents to their homes and achieve war goals.”

    Meanwhile, Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant declared the start of a “new phase” in the war and asserted that the focus is now on the northern arena.

    Sharing a post on X, Gallant said, “We are at the start of a new phase in the war – we are allocating resources and forces to the northern arena and our mission is clear: ensuring the safe return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes. To do so, the security situation must be changed.”

    Earlier on Wednesday, dozens of ambulance crews from the Lebanese Red Cross worked to rescue and evacuate those who were wounded after walkie-talkie explosions in Lebanon, according to the CNN report.

  • Hezbollah Blames Israel After Pager Blasts Kill 9, Injure 2,750 In Lebanon; Vows Retaliation: 10 Points | world news

    Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate against Israel following a series of pager explosions across Lebanon that killed at least nine people and injured nearly 3,000. The blasts, which primarily affected members of the Shia militia, occurred amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and have sparked international concern regarding further escalations in the ongoing conflict.

    Here is all you need to know about Lebanon pager attacks in 10 points:

    1. Hezbollah has pledged to retaliate after simultaneous explosions of pagers used by its members rocked Lebanon, killing at least nine individuals, including a 10-year-old girl, and injuring approximately 2,750 others.

    2. Lebanon’s Health Minister, Firass Abiad, reported that more than 200 injuries are considered critical, with victims suffering wounds primarily to their faces, hands, and stomachs.

    3. The Israeli military has refrained from commenting on the explosions, which occurred just hours after Israel announced a broader aim in its military operations to include Hezbollah along the Lebanese border.

    4. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller indicated it was “too early to say” how the explosions might affect ceasefire talks regarding Gaza, asserting that the US was not involved and was gathering information on the incident.

    5. The explosions represent a significant escalation, interrupting a period of relative calm following a limited Hezbollah response in late August to Israel’s assassination of its top military commander, Fuad Shukur.

    6. Hezbollah has held Israel responsible for the explosions, terming it “criminal aggression”. It asserted that two of its fighters were killed, and the son of a Hezbollah MP also died in the blasts. Israel “will certainly receive its just punishment for this sinful aggression,” a Hezbollah statement said.

    7. Reports indicate that Iran’s ambassador to Beirut, Mojtaba Amani, was among those injured, adding another layer of complexity to the regional dynamics and potential for conflict.

    8. The US continues to stress the need for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflicts, linking the situation in Lebanon to the broader issues in Gaza, emphasizing that a ceasefire in Gaza could facilitate stability in the north.

    9. Lebanese hospitals are currently overwhelmed with casualties from the blasts, prompting the Health Ministry to declare a maximum alert status and establish a field hospital in Tire to accommodate the influx of patients.

    10. The explosions have raised concerns about a potential large-scale military operation by Israel against Hezbollah, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly holding high-level security consultations following the blasts.