US not involved in device blasts in Lebanon: White House
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White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby stresses that the United States is not involved in the two waves of attacks on Lebanon.
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National Security Council spokesman John Kirby listens to questions during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington on September 18, 2024. (AP)
In a press briefing, White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby clarified that the United States was not involved in the two waves of explosions in Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday, which specifically targeted certain types of pagers and walkie-talkies.
When questioned about the White House's response to Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant's comments on "a new era of the war" and the potential for the explosions to trigger further escalation, John Kirby stated, "We want to see the war end, and everything we've done from the start has been aimed at preventing escalation." He added that the US believes "a diplomatic solution is still possible."
Earlier on Wednesday, "Israel" detonated two-way radio receivers widely used in Lebanon in a second wave of its electronic terrorist attack after blowing up telecommunication pagers on Tuesday, Axios reported, citing two informed sources.
On Wednesday afternoon, a series of explosions were reported across Beirut, South Lebanon, and Bekaa. Video footage posted on social media showed a telecommunication device, more commonly known as a walkie-talkie, exploding during the funeral procession of a Hezbollah member, killed in yesterday's attack.
More footage showed cars, motorbikes, and homes on fire amid the impact of the explosions.
Fourteen citizens have been killed and over 450 others were injured in the attack, Al Mayadeen's correspondent announced.
Earlier, a security source told Reuters that the walkie-talkies were purchased five months ago, which coincides with the date of pager purchases.
The New York Times, citing US and other officials briefed on the attack, reported that "Israel" planted explosive material in a recent batch of Taiwanese-brand pagers imported to Lebanon, carrying out an operation against Hezbollah.
Some officials stated that pagers ordered by Hezbollah from Gold Apollo were tampered with before arriving in the county. Most pagers were the AR924 models, but the shipment also included three other models from the company, according to the NYT.
The explosive material, weighing less than 60 grams, was implanted next to the battery in each device, two officials said. An embedded switch was also planted in the pagers, allowing for remote detonation of the explosives.
