After pager blasts, ‘walkie talkies’ explode in Lebanon’s Beirut

Walkie talkies exploded in Hezbollah's Beirut stronghold, source close to group, rescuers told foreign news agency AFP.

The source said it was not clear if the equipment was pagers.

At least one of the blasts heard took place near a funeral organized by Hezbollah for those killed the previous day when thousands of pagers used by the group detonated across the country.

The latest blasts occurred a day after series of simultaneous explosions involving handheld pagers used by Hezbollah members killed nine people and injuring 2,750 others.

The blasts have plunged the country into chaos as hospitals declared a state of emergency to manage the overwhelming number of casualties.

Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad confirmed the death toll and the number of injured in a press conference, urging citizens to donate blood to aid the critically wounded.

Hezbollah blamed Israel for what it described as a "criminal aggression" targeting civilians. The group vowed retribution, stating that Israel would face "fair punishment" for the attack.

"After examining all the facts and available information about this sinful attack, we hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression," Hezbollah said in an official statement. The group reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Palestinian resistance amid the ongoing conflict.

Security sources in Lebanon reported that the explosions occurred in various locations, severely injuring hundreds of Hezbollah members.

Hezbollah had claimed the explosions were the result of an Israeli cyber-attack aimed at disabling their communication systems, marking one of the most significant security breaches the group has faced in its protracted conflict with Israel.