The number of fatalities in a series of deadly explosions targeting pagers and handheld radios across Lebanon has climbed to 37, according to Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad.
The explosions occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday and left hundreds more injured.
During a news conference on Thursday, Abiad detailed the tragic toll from the two-day wave of attacks. On Tuesday, explosions linked to pagers claimed 12 lives and left 2,323 others wounded. Many victims suffered severe injuries, with 226 individuals still hospitalized, some in critical condition.
The attacks continued on Wednesday as wireless communication devices exploded in various locations across the country, resulting in 25 more deaths and 608 additional injuries.
On Tuesday, eight Hezbollah members were killed when their pagers exploded simultaneously across Lebanon. Hezbollah called the attack an “Israeli breach” of their communications.
The attacks came hours after Israel announced it was broadening its war to include Hezbollah along the northern border.
Since October, clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah claimed hundreds in Lebanon and dozens in Israel, displacing thousands on both sides.