Pagers Explode Across Lebanon in Deadly, Brazen Attack

At least nine people were killed and more than 2,700 injured in Lebanon when hundreds of pagers blew up in what appears to have been a coordinated attack, reports the AP and the New York Times. The pagers belonged to members of Hezbollah, which accused Israel of being behind the unprecedented assault. Israel, which warned only a day ago it might ramp up attacks against the militant group, has not commented. More:

• Reuters puts the number of injured at 2,750, a figure that includes Iran's ambassador to Lebanon.
• A Hezbollah official said the incident was the "biggest security breach" in its yearlong war with Israel. "This criminal and treacherous enemy will definitely receive a fair punishment for this sinful assault, both in ways that are expected and unexpected," the group said in a statement, per CNN.

• The explosions started at 3:45pm local time, and lasted about an hour. It's currently unclear how the pagers were detonated, though they're thought to be the latest model brought in by Hezbollah, per Reuters. They were programmed to beep for several seconds before detonating, according to the Times.
• CNN reports that Iranian Ambassador Mojtaba Amani was wounded, though it's reportedly a superficial injury. He's under observation at the hospital. A young girl was among those killed, according to multiple reports.
• For those in Lebanon who have pagers, Lebanon's Ministry of Health is telling them to get rid of them. It also warned hospitals to be on "high alert."

(More Hezbollah stories.)