Hezbollah blames Israel for explosions in Lebanon

Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the explosions of pagers across Lebanon in which close to 3,000 were injured and threatened retaliation.

After having examined all "available information about the attack that took place this afternoon, we hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible," the Iran-backed militia wrote on Telegram on Tuesday.

"This treacherous and criminal enemy will certainly receive just retribution for this sinful aggression," the group said.

Nine people were killed and around 2,800 more injured, including members of Hezbollah, by suspected coordinated explosions of pagers in several Lebanese regions, mostly in Hezbollah-controlled areas, the Health Ministry said in an update.

Unconfirmed reports were circulating that Israel had targeted communications devices used by Hezbollah and was behind the detonations.

The Israeli army initially did not comment on the events in Lebanon.

A source close to Hezbollah told dpa that the detonations, which occurred in various regions across Lebanon, were a major "blow for the Hezbollah security apparatus."

Among the killed is the son of a Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Ammar, the group said, while the son of Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah and the son of the head of security of the Wafiq Safa movement were among those injured, Hezbollah said.