Amid International Outrage At Israel’s Use of Deadly Explosives In Lebanon, UN Urges Restraint to Prevent Escalation; US Denies Any Complicity or Foreknowledge

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed frustration at Israel over the series of deadly blasts linked to electronic devices in Lebanon, warning the recent surge in violence threatens to derail diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. 

The strikes, intended to target Hezbollah, have led to gruesome injuries, with the Lebanese Health Ministry confirming that at least 20 people were killed and more than 450 injured in the latest assault. 

Blinken, who is in Egypt for discussions on a potential ceasefire, firmly rejected accusations that the U.S. was either complicit in or had prior knowledge of the recent pager attacks.

The U.S., in collaboration with international partners like Egypt, has been actively engaged in efforts to reduce tensions and broker a resolution. 

"Time and again," when the U.S. and other international mediators believe themselves to be making progress in a ceasefire deal for Israel and Hamas' war in Gaza, "we've seen an event that makes the process more difficult, might derail it," Blinken said.

Reuters reported that two U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Israel was responsible for the attack. 

They insist that while Israel did not disclose details to the U.S. before the attack, it conveyed the information later through intelligence channels. 

U.S. Congresswoman, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) also weighed in after reports emerged that Israel’s intelligence and military were involved in the attacks.

She stated on X, “Congress needs a full accounting of the attack, including an answer from the State Department as to whether any US assistance went into the development or deployment of this technology.

”The United Nations responded to the attacks urging diplomacy amid reports of more device detonations in Lebanon. 

Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, released a statement  requesting “all concerned actors to exercise maximum restraint to avert any further escalation.”

World Leaders React to the Attacks 

Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah denounced the Lebanon attack as acts of dirty warfare orchestrated by Israel. He referred to these assaults as a “massacre” that violated all boundaries, and while he acknowledged that the strikes were a “severe” and “unprecedented” blow, he reassured his supporters that they had not managed to undermine the group’s infrastructure. 

He stated Hezbollah was examining the tactics behind the attacks and cautioned Israel that it would face “just punishment” in both expected and unexpected places.

He said, “These terrorist acts are clearly a reflection of the Zionist regime’s despair and repeated failures.” He further stated, “We will see the destruction of this bloodthirsty and criminal regime.”

Meanwhile, Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi accused Israel with pushing the Middle East toward the edge of a regional war by fueling a dangerous escalation across various fronts.

Belgian EU Parliament member Marc Botenga expressed on X: “Why don’t our governments label the detonation of pagers—used by doctors and nurses—in supermarkets and public spaces as a terrorist attack, especially given that it killed a 10-year-old girl and injured thousands?

”Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan declared  that Israel’s actions to instigate conflicts in the region are highly dangerous. He affirmed that the efforts to address Israeli aggression will carry on.

As concerns mount about the potential for further explosions, Beirut's international airport has prohibited passengers from bringing pagers and walkie-talkies onto flights. 

The Lebanese army confirmed its ongoing efforts to detonate “suspicious” communication devices across the country. 

Israel Accepting Responsibility?

Israeli authorities, who rarely discuss operations in other countries, declined to comment on whether Israel was responsible for the Lebanon attacks. 

However critics argue that the intricate and sophisticated nature of the operation reflects the signature tactics of Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency. 

In recent days, Israeli officials have indicated a strategic pivot, redirecting the military's focus from Gaza to the northern border of Israel.

Speaking to Israeli troops Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, “We are at the start of a new phase in the war — it requires courage, determination and perseverance.”

He made no mention of the exploding devices but praised the work of Israel’s army and security agencies, saying “the results are very impressive.”

An editorial in The Guardian points out a disturbing parallel between World War II and the Lebanon attack. During the war, guerrilla forces scattered booby-trapped items to harm civilians. Despite a global treaty banning these types of weapons being enacted fifty years later, Israel and its supporters continue to use booby-traps and other devices disguised as harmless objects, which are designed to explode. 

Moreover, in the wake of the attacks, disturbing videos also surfaced on social media, depicting Israeli content creators allegedly mocking the victims of the Lebanon explosions that targeted communication devices across the region. “Humanity is dead. Their clear nonchalant attitude shows the world does not care anymore whatever happens now,” remarked a social media user to the videos.