More deadly blasts in Lebanon on Wednesday, Sept. 18, came just a day after exploding pagers targeted members of Hezbollah, injuring nearly 3,000 people and killing at least a dozen more. One explosion on Wednesday was reported at a funeral in eastern Lebanon for three Hezbollah members and a child killed in the pager attack. One person was killed, and more than 100 others were injured, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
Authorities said handheld radios and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah militants exploded this time. The sounds from the blasts could also be heard in the southern suburbs of Beirut and other areas.
The Lebanese military warned citizens to avoid gathering in places where explosions had occurred to make way for emergency crews.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reports at least three people were killed by “unspecified devices” and solar energy systems exploded in homes in several areas injuring at least one girl.
The latest incidents come the United Nations Human Rights chief is now calling for an investigation into Tuesday’s mass pager explosion in Lebanon and Syria. He said on Wednesday, “the fear and terror unleashed is profound” and that targeting thousands of people, whether civilians or militants, without knowledge violates international law.
The U.N. chief did not explicitly mention Israel in his comments. However, Lebanon and Hezbollah blame the country for the intricate remote attack.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Tuesday that the attacks threaten to “derail” U.S.-led talks for a cease-fire and hostage release in Gaza.
The Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry says more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s war against Hamas and around 90% of the population of 2.3 million is now displaced.