Meanwhile, a comprehensive directive has been issued to the organization's militants instructing them to "check all electronic devices" and disconnect their batteries. Hezbollah is attempting to mask the number of casualties among its ranks, while authorities report 450 injuries and 14 deaths from the second wave of explosions.
Just hours after the second wave of explosions struck today (Wednesday) in various regions of Lebanon, including the Dahieh neighborhood of Beirut and southern areas, Hezbollah has not officially commented on the incidents. However, senior member Hashem Safi al-Din has threatened retaliation: "We are entering a new phase; punishment is inevitable."
"We tell the enemy—if your aim is to halt support for the campaign in Gaza, be aware that it will only strengthen and intensify. The consequences of aggression will surely follow, and retribution will come," Safi al-Din added.
Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced, "The wave of Israeli violations has concluded today. I assure the Lebanese people that the transfer of the injured to hospitals has ceased." Following the substantial damage Hezbollah suffered from yesterday's pager explosions, reports indicate that hospitals are overwhelmed with the influx of injured. The new casualties added today are likely facing challenges in receiving treatment at local hospitals due to the excessive burden.
According to reports from Lebanese channel MTV, 95 injured individuals, including the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon who lost vision in one eye due to the explosion, have flown to Iran for further medical care along with their families. Hezbollah is trying to obscure the true number of injured and fatalities from the significant blow it has experienced over the past two days, in addition to the logistical setbacks the organization faced with its various communication systems. An Iranian source noted, as reported by the Tasnim news agency, that "most of the injured suffered severe injuries to their hands and eyes. Upon arriving in Iran, they will be taken to hospitals for treatment."
Prime Minister Mikati also informed that his government has directed the filing of a complaint with the UN Security Council and called for an emergency session to discuss the explosions of the pagers and communication devices. "The Israeli enemy disregards all international laws. We will do everything possible to prevent war in Lebanon," Mikati stated. Following his announcement, diplomatic sources told Al Jazeera that the Security Council will convene an emergency meeting on Friday evening to address developments in Lebanon.
Lebanon's civil defense reported that it took action to extinguish fires that erupted in 60 homes, shops, 15 vehicles, and dozens of motorcycles as a result of the communication device explosions and two fingerprint scanners in Nabatieh. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported 14 deaths and over 450 injuries from the second wave of explosions, according to Channel 12 news reports.
