Iraqi medical aid plane in Beirut after Israeli terrorist pager attack
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The Lebanese health minister says that the plane is carrying 15 tons worth of aid to the Lebanese people affected by the mass Israeli detonation of rigged pagers.
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An Iraqi aid plane carrying medical tools and supplies at Beirut International Airport, September 18, 2024 (AFP)
An Iraqi plane carrying a shipment of medical aid arrived at Beirut International Airport on Wednesday, in a show of solidarity with Lebanon following the Israeli pager terrorist attack that occurred yesterday.
The attack resulted in 3,000 casualties, including over 10 martyrs, among them a woman and a 10-year-old girl. The majority of injuries caused by the detonated pagers were concentrated on the face and hands, with many victims losing sight in at least one eye.
Read more: 'Israel' planted explosives in pagers sold to Hezbollah: NYT
Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad announced the arrival of "the first aid shipment to Lebanon after the Israeli aggression, as part of a generous initiative from the Iraqi government."
Abiad noted that 20 doctors and healthcare workers arrived at Beirut Airport from Iraq, along with more than 15 tons of aid.
"With around 3,000 injured in hospitals, we may have to transfer some of the patients to specialized hospitals abroad for treatment," he said.
The Lebanese minister extended his gratitude to "all the brotherly countries, including Egypt, Iran, and Syria, which have offered assistance and will be sending shipments to Lebanon consecutively."
Read more: Blinken in Cairo to discuss Gaza ceasefire, 'Israel' not on trip plan
The representative of the Iraqi health minister announced in a press statement at Beirut International Airport that Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani swiftly established a crisis cell under his leadership, just 30 minutes after the Israeli terrorist operation.
He directed the immediate opening of medical supply and equipment warehouses and designated Lebanese hospitals as extensions of Iraqi hospitals, ensuring they would receive ongoing logistical support.
Al-Rubaie also announced Iraq’s readiness to send medical personnel, necessary equipment, and medications, in addition to setting up field hospitals specializing in eye injury treatments.
Beeps before explosion
Citing US and other officials briefed on the terrorist attack, The New York Times reported on Wednesday that "Israel" planted explosive material in a recent batch of Taiwanese-brand pagers imported to Lebanon.
Pagers delivered to Lebanon from Gold Apollo were tampered with before arriving in the country, some officials stated.
Read more: Snowden calls Israeli pager attack 'Indistinguishable from terrorism'
Taiwanese manufacturer Gold Apollo said the pagers were produced and developed by Hungary-based BAC Consulting firm, which has signed a cooperation agreement with Apollo on independently manufacturing and supplying the pagers involved in the blasts.
The explosive material, weighing less than 60 grams, was implanted next to the battery in each device, two officials said according to NYT.
An embedded switch was also planted in the pagers, allowing for remote detonation of the explosives. Three officials said that the devices were programmed to beep for several times before exploding.
