Israel declares 'new phase' of war amid Lebanon escalation | LBC breaking

Israeli officials have declared a "new phase" to their war with Hezbollah after hand-held devices exploded for the second day in a row, killing a further nine people.

Hezbollah has vowed retaliation after pagers and hand-held walkie-talkies exploded leaving dozens dead and thousands injured.

Israel is being blamed for the fatal attack, with reports suggesting the devices belonged to members of Hezbollah were modified "at a production level".

The Israeli military has yet to comment.

However, Israel's defence minister has declared the start of a "new phase" of their war with Hezbollah and Lebanon.

Yoav Gallant did not confirm if Israel were responsible for the wave of explosions but praised the country's army and security agencies, saying "the results are very impressive".

Nearly 3,000 people are believed to have been injured in the coordinated remote attack yesterday, with 200 still in critical condition.

Today, a further nine were killed as a new set of devices exploded.

#tomswarbrick #israel #lebanon #idf #hezbollah #gaza #middleeast #conflict #internationalnews #LBC

LBC is the home of live debate around news and current affairs in the UK.

[nicholoswilliams]

I swear whenever I hear blinken speaks my ears hurts. Guy such a dumb hypocrite

[eliesagno]

Israel is not a nation to joke or mess with

[CarlWheatley-wicl]

WHY aren't the UN talking about the occupation of Southern Lebanon by an Iranian proxy terrorist organisation that the majority of Lebanese want out of their country? Absolutely boggles the mind.

[Traveler-jzqo]

Hezeballa betta watch sitting on the the toilet!

[Occident.]

Its rather arrogant to think you can wage war on others and think your untouchable, because you have a very powerful nation watching you back.

[christopherguest]

If Ukraine did this the west would abandon them

[jenniehirsch-bbkc]

I don't see Israelis handing out candy do you?

[cvbposhd]

My condolences LBC you lost few board members today also 😢

[yvonnesmith]

You can think what you want but Mossad played a blinder

[sjvs]

The IDF chief just issued a statement that they still have "many capabilities" remaining to apply. Who's curious enough to find out what these are?

[Styrophoamicus]

US: Israel, don't do the thing.
Israel: (does the thing)
US: We are concerned about Israel doing the thing.
And so on...

[pnthrillz]

Why would a civilian have a military grade radio walkie talkie ?

[armychick]

"A brilliant operation?" If the tables were turned, we would call it state terrorism.

[raylawton]

Don't escalate... unless you're Israel, then it's OK. Western ideology!

[annamariehewitt]

A factory that makes pagers and walkie talkies got a highly secretive order....

[MrWhitmen]

LBC tried reaching out to Jeremy Corbyn voters for comment but were unable to answer their calls.

[fairlyvague]

Israeli tanks and weapons heading for border with Lebanon

[jerrywild]

If One side explodes devices they are labeled as Terrorist organisation - if the other side does it - It gets labeled as pre emptive or collateral etc etc etc

[bayzidahammed]

It is all funny until someone learns from this and uses it against you.

[MkuluClive-lsqj]

Mossad and IDF electronic warfare is second to none.
Even the USA relies on them for tech.