HUNDREDS of Hezbollah fighters have been injured after their pagers exploded in Lebanon.
The devices have blown 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
Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad confirmed the sabotage with a source close to Hezbollah saying its members were targeted.
Hezbollah officials have pinned the attack on an “Israeli breach” of its communications.
At least 150 people are reported to have so far been injured and there are no reports of death.
Videos circulating on social media reportedly the explosions happening – many caught on CCTV in shops.
One showed a man’s bag exploding in a grocer with shoppers sprinting for their lives away from the man as he is knocked over onto 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 hundreds were injured and 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.
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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