Lebanese army detonates 'suspicious' wireless devices, urges vigilance

BEIRUT

The Lebanese army said Thursday that it detonated “suspicious” wireless communication devices in various areas across Lebanon and urged citizens to remain vigilant.

At least 32 people were killed and 3,250 others injured on Tuesday and Wednesday in explosions that targeted thousands of wireless communication devices across the country.

A military statement said specialized army units detonated "pagers and suspicious communication devices in various regions" across Lebanon.

It called on citizens "to stay away from the detonation scenes and to report any suspicious devices or objects."

According to an Anadolu reporter, one of the devices was detonated in Qlayaa town in southern Lebanon.

Early on Thursday, Lebanon’s civil aviation authorities banned pagers and walkie-talkies on flights.

Lebanese group Hezbollah has accused Israel of being behind the device explosions and vowed retaliation.

There has been no Israeli comment on the blasts, which came amid an escalation in cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah since the start of Israel’s deadly war on the Gaza Strip, which has killed nearly 41,300 people, mostly women and children, following a cross-border attack by Hamas last Oct. 7.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar