Lebanon has been thrust into turmoil once again following a new wave of explosions in Dahiya, the Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut, adding to the chaos sparked earlier in the week by deadly pager-bomb attacks. As crowds gathered to mourn the victims of Tuesday’s tragic blasts, an explosion rocked the area, sending panicked mourners running and heightening fears of a broader assault on Hezbollah’s communications network.

Chaos Erupts at Hezbollah Funerals

The explosion, captured in a video showing panic-stricken individuals fleeing the scene, occurred just moments before the funerals of an 11-year-old boy and three Hezbollah members killed in Tuesday’s attacks were set to begin. In an instant, the solemn atmosphere turned to confusion as chants from mourners halted, and disbelief spread through the streets of Dahiya.

Reports suggest this latest blast is part of a second wave of attacks, now targeting walkie-talkies in addition to pagers, which were rigged with explosives on Tuesday. Hezbollah supporters, increasingly suspicious of electronic devices, demanded that bystanders, including journalists, refrain from using phones or cameras, fearing they too could be compromised.

Deadly Toll of the New Wave of Explosions

Lebanese officials report that at least 14 people have been killed and over 450 injured in Wednesday’s explosions, which have sparked fires across homes, businesses, and vehicles. The devastation has primarily affected southern Beirut and other regions in southern Lebanon. Fires broke out in multiple locations, leaving widespread damage in their wake.

These attacks are seen as a direct hit on Hezbollah, a powerful political and military force in Lebanon, and a potential sign that their communication systems have been infiltrated—an allegation pointing directly at Israel. Though Israel has not commented, Hezbollah has firmly placed the blame on them, vowing retaliation.

A Nation Reeling from Devastation

Lebanon is still grappling with the shock and devastation of Tuesday’s pager-bomb attacks, which killed 12 people and injured nearly 2,800. The explosive devices, believed to have been tampered with and distributed among users by Hezbollah as an alternative to smartphones, detonated after users received messages they thought were from the group. The blasts targeted people in homes, shops, and public places, with some of the victims suffering horrific injuries.

Dr. Elias Warrak, a Lebanese physician, described the harrowing aftermath, calling it the worst day of his career. “At least 60% of the people I treated had lost an eye or a hand,” he said, noting that some victims suffered brain damage from the explosions. “The number of casualties is immense, and the type of injuries catastrophic,” he added.

Hezbollah’s Communication Network in Jeopardy

Hezbollah’s decision to distribute pagers and walkie-talkies stemmed from concerns that smartphones were being used by Israeli intelligence to track and target its members. However, the explosions have raised questions about whether these very communication devices were rigged by Israeli operatives before reaching Hezbollah hands.

Though the exact mechanics of Wednesday’s attacks are still unclear, the sophisticated nature of the incidents points to a possible breach of Hezbollah’s communication infrastructure.

Rising Tensions and Fear of War

The rising violence between Hezbollah and Israel has displaced tens of thousands of residents on both sides of the border. Hezbollah justifies its continued attacks on Israel as an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, with no signs of de-escalation. The fear now is that the situation could spiral into full-scale war, despite Lebanon’s fragile economic and political situation.

At the funerals in Dahiya, mourners expressed their grief but also a steely resolve. One young man said, “The pain is immense, but we are used to this. We will continue our resistance.” A woman in her mid-40s echoed his sentiment: “Whoever has lost an eye will fight with the other. We are united.”

Israeli Response and Hezbollah’s Next Move

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that Israel is entering “a new phase” of its conflict with Hezbollah, as Israeli forces, including the 98th division, have been redeployed from Gaza to Israel’s northern border, signaling that tensions could escalate further. Up until now, Hezbollah has indicated that it is not seeking another major war with Israel, largely due to Lebanon’s economic crisis. Yet, pressure for a strong retaliation is mounting within Hezbollah’s ranks, with many calling for a decisive response.

All eyes now turn to Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, who is expected to deliver his first public statement on the escalating conflict in the coming days. Nasrallah’s address could offer a clue as to whether Hezbollah will opt for restraint or escalate the conflict further, risking deeper instability for Lebanon.

Uncertain Future for Lebanon

As Lebanon teeters on the edge of deeper chaos, its people are left wondering what comes next. With the walkie-talkie explosions marking the second major attack in just two days, the atmosphere in the country is one of fear and uncertainty. With Hezbollah determined to retaliate and Israel signaling a readiness for further military engagement, Lebanon faces the very real threat of being pulled into another devastating conflict.

In the midst of all this, Lebanese civilians are bearing the brunt of the violence, with homes destroyed, lives lost, and a growing sense of insecurity. As Hezbollah plans its next move, many in the country are left hoping for peace, but preparing for the worst.