At least nine people, including a young girl, have been killed and 2,750 others wounded across Lebanon following the explosion of pagers used by Hezbollah members. The simultaneous blasts occurred on September 17, 2024, raising alarm and sparking immediate blame on Israel from Hezbollah. The Lebanese group holds Israel “fully responsible” for the attacks, though there has been no official response from Israeli authorities.

The explosions come amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which has been exchanging fire since the onset of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023. Lebanon’s civil defense teams were quickly dispatched to the scenes of the explosions, with footage showing first responders carrying the wounded into al-Zahraa Hospital in Beirut. The sudden escalation is seen as part of the broader regional conflict triggered by the war on Gaza.

The death toll in Gaza continues to climb as Israeli strikes on the territory show no sign of abating. According to the Palestinian Education Ministry, more than 11,000 students have been killed in Gaza and the occupied West Bank since the conflict erupted. Gaza’s health ministry further reports that over 41,000 people have died, with an additional 95,497 injured since the war began.

Meanwhile, the toll in Israel also reflects the heavy cost of the conflict. At least 1,139 Israelis have been killed in the initial attacks led by Hamas on October 7. More than 200 Israeli citizens remain held captive by Hamas, adding to the ongoing crisis. The war has led to widespread destruction in Gaza and significant casualties on both sides.

The situation remains volatile as Hezbollah vows retaliation and the death toll in the region continues to rise. With no sign of a ceasefire, the possibility of further escalation between Israel and Hezbollah looms, raising concerns of a broader regional conflict. International efforts to broker peace remain stagnant, as both sides show no willingness to back down.