Second Wave of Device Explosions Hits Lebanon as Israel Signals New War Phase

Lebanon experienced a second day of coordinated device explosions on Wednesday. The attacks killed 14 people and wounded over 450 across multiple cities. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared a "new phase" of war focused on the northern front, though Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for either day's attacks.

According to reports, the latest explosions primarily targeted walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members. However, evidence suggests various electronic devices may have been affected. Many victims suffered abdominal and hand injuries similar to Tuesday's pager explosions that killed 12 and wounded 2,800.

Three deaths occurred in the Bekaa region in eastern Lebanon. The Lebanese Red Cross deployed more than 30 ambulances to handle "multiple explosions" in southern and eastern areas. Another 50 ambulances remained on standby for rescue operations.

A Hezbollah source confirmed the attack bore similarities to Tuesday's coordinated pager detonations. The explosions remained small in scale. Photos and videos showed damaged ICOM IC-V82 two-way radios, a Japanese-made walkie-talkie model. One explosion occurred during a funeral in southern Beirut for Hezbollah members killed the previous day.

As reported by industry sources, solar power systems exploded in homes across Lebanon. The National News Agency reported that at least one blast injured a girl in al-Zahrani, south Lebanon. Pictures also emerged showing exploded fingerprint readers.

Some walkie-talkie models involved in Wednesday's explosions had been discontinued. Hezbollah received a shipment of these devices five months ago, around the same time the organization obtained the pagers that exploded Tuesday. This timing strongly suggests tampering occurred before delivery.

The second wave raises concerns that additional electronic devices may have been modified into weapons. Security experts worry about the broader implications of this new form of attack and whether more strikes could follow.