HUNDREDS of Hezbollah fighters have been injured after their pagers exploded across Lebanon.
The devices blew up across the country in what Lebanese media is claiming is a massive “hacking attack” by Israel.
TwitterOne man’s bag explodes leaving shoppers sprinting for safety[/caption]
TwitterThe shopper is knocked onto the ground by the detonation[/caption]
TwitterNo group has so far claimed responsibility[/caption]
One man had an injury to his inner thigh after a pager in his pocket exploded
Pagers were left mangled after the sabotage
Hezbollah officials have said the group was targeted and have pinned the attack on an “Israeli breach” of its communications.
Hundreds have so far been injured, officials confirmed, including the Iranian ambassador in Beirut.
Videos circulating on social media show the wave of blasts striking across the country with many caught on in-store CCTV.
One shows a man’s bag exploding in a grocer with shoppers sprinting for their lives away from the man as he is knocked to the ground by the detonation.
Another shows a man paying for items at a till before he checks the pager on his hip and it explodes in his hands.
Reuters said ambulances were now rushing through the capital as “widespread panic” has hit the city.
One Hezbollah official, speaking on anonymity, told the agency the pager explosions was the “biggest security breach” of the war so far.
Another official said new pagers that Hezbollah members were carrying had lithium batteries – they can explode when overheated.
Local Lebanese media are reporting the country’s health ministry has asked the public to distance themselves from wireless communication devices.
Injuries have also been reported amongst soldiers in neighbouring Syria.
The Israelis are yet to comment on the sabotage attack.
APHezbollah fighters pictured in January this year[/caption]
ReutersLebanon’s Hezbollah supporters chant slogans[/caption]
GettyIsrael has allegedly hacked Hezbollah’s pagers[/caption]
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