A tragic event unfolded in Lebanon yesterday, September 17, 2024, as hundreds of people were wounded and nine lost their lives due to simultaneous explosions of paging devices belonging to Hezbollah members ¹. The Lebanese Minister of Education, Abbas al Halabi, has announced the closure of all public and private schools, including universities, today, Wednesday, in condemnation of this heinous act.
The explosions, suspected to be a coordinated attack, targeted pro-Iranian Hezbollah members across Lebanon, primarily causing hand injuries, as well as face, abdomen, and eye injuries ¹. The Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the detonations, threatening retaliation.
Minister al Halabi denounced the attack as a “criminal act committed by the Israeli enemy against Lebanese citizens” ¹. This incident occurs amidst ongoing cross-border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah fighters.
The closure of educational institutions is a symbol of solidarity with the victims and their families, as well as a condemnation of the violence. The Lebanese people are reeling from this devastating attack, and the international community is urged to take notice and work towards a peaceful resolution.