UN denounces ‘shocking’ pager explosions in Lebanon and Syria
UN rights chief Volker Turk urges swift measures to identify those accountable for the widespread explosions of electronic devices throughout Lebanon. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The recent mass detonation of electronic devices, resulting in the deaths of at least 37 people and injuries to thousands, has been vehemently condemned by UN human rights commissioner Volker Turk as a "shocking" contravention of international human rights laws. This event occurred in Lebanon and Syria, as revealed on a statement on the UN's official site where Turk demanded immediate steps to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
The blasts, which occurred across Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday, involved devices such as pagers, walkie-talkies, and laptops laden with explosives. These devices exploded simultaneously and seem to have aimed at members of the Hezbollah group supported by Iran, though numerous civilians, including children, were also grievously impacted.
In Lebanon, both Hezbollah and the national government have accused Israel of orchestrating the attacks, promising retaliation. While Israel has maintained a stance of neither confirming nor denying involvement, several media sources suggest that the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, prepared and remotely activated the explosives as part of a strategic plan priming for significant conflict with Hezbollah.
Turk expressed his disapproval of the attacks, emphasizing the irrelevance of the victims' identities—the indiscriminate targeting violating fundamental human rights principles. He advocated for an "independent, thorough and transparent investigation" into the explosion details, emphasizing that the individuals behind such plans "must be held to account."
Furthermore, Turk urged "all States with influence in the region and beyond" to intervene in reducing tensions, highlighting the ultimate need to protect civilian lives amid growing hostilities between Lebanon and Israel.
In related developments, less than two months prior, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz hinted at preparations for "all-out war" with Hezbollah. Following a secondary series of explosions on Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant noted the transition to a "new phase" focusing from Hamas to Hezbollah, with significant Israeli military resources allocated towards the Lebanese border.
For further details, consult the coverage by Hezbollah pager bombs as reported by the New York Times.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
The blasts, which occurred across Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday, involved devices such as pagers, walkie-talkies, and laptops laden with explosives. These devices exploded simultaneously and seem to have aimed at members of the Hezbollah group supported by Iran, though numerous civilians, including children, were also grievously impacted.
In Lebanon, both Hezbollah and the national government have accused Israel of orchestrating the attacks, promising retaliation. While Israel has maintained a stance of neither confirming nor denying involvement, several media sources suggest that the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, prepared and remotely activated the explosives as part of a strategic plan priming for significant conflict with Hezbollah.
Turk expressed his disapproval of the attacks, emphasizing the irrelevance of the victims' identities—the indiscriminate targeting violating fundamental human rights principles. He advocated for an "independent, thorough and transparent investigation" into the explosion details, emphasizing that the individuals behind such plans "must be held to account."
Furthermore, Turk urged "all States with influence in the region and beyond" to intervene in reducing tensions, highlighting the ultimate need to protect civilian lives amid growing hostilities between Lebanon and Israel.
In related developments, less than two months prior, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz hinted at preparations for "all-out war" with Hezbollah. Following a secondary series of explosions on Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant noted the transition to a "new phase" focusing from Hamas to Hezbollah, with significant Israeli military resources allocated towards the Lebanese border.
For further details, consult the coverage by Hezbollah pager bombs as reported by the New York Times.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
