Question 1: What caused the explosions in Beirut that resulted in numerous casualties?
The explosions were caused by electronic pagers and walkie-talkies, which were used by members of Hezbollah for communication. These devices unexpectedly blew up, leading to injuries and fatalities among their owners and nearby individuals.
Question 2: Who was initially blamed for the attacks involving the pagers and walkie-talkies?
Israel was blamed by both its critics and supporters for the attacks, raising questions about the nature and timing of the explosions amidst ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
Question 3: How did the situation escalate following the initial pager explosions?
After the initial explosions from the pagers, there were subsequent explosions involving walkie-talkies, which further increased the death toll and confusion surrounding the attacks.
Question 4: What context surrounded the attacks on pagers and walkie-talkies in Lebanon?
The attacks occurred during a period of heightened conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, particularly following the outbreak of war in Gaza, which had already seen a series of retaliatory actions across the Lebanese border.
Question 5: What was the reaction of the public and authorities to the unexpected nature of these attacks?
The public and authorities were taken by surprise by the attacks, leading to a flurry of questions regarding how such an operation could have been executed and the implications it held for ongoing regional tensions.