Beirut residents are on edge following a series of explosive attacks involving pagers and walkie-talkies, sparking widespread concern over personal electronic devices. On Wednesday, walkie-talkies detonated in multiple parts of Lebanon, including the capital, in a second wave of attacks. This followed the explosion of pagers used by Hezbollah just a day earlier, according to state media and militant group officials.
The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that the second round of blasts claimed at least 20 lives and injured more than 450 people. The attacks, widely believed to be carried out by Israel in a direct assault on Hezbollah, have also taken a civilian toll, raising fears of an escalation in the long-simmering conflict.
Telecommunications engineer Nabil Balaa observed a swift change in consumer behavior as panic set in. “I’ve received numerous calls from customers asking how to hide their devices and what precautions to take,” Balaa said, noting that while most devices on the market remain safe, there is concern over specific models potentially tampered with.
The impact on business has been palpable. Samah Almasri, a mobile phone shop owner on Beirut's bustling Hamra high street, reported a sharp decline in sales. “People are throwing their phones away out of fear; they believe all phones are being monitored,” she explained.
With tensions between Hezbollah and Israel flaring once again, residents are bracing for the possibility of further violence.
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