In Lebanon, Thousands of Explosive Devices Ignite Years of Tension

BEIRUT — Chris Knayzeh was visiting a town that overlooks Lebanon’s capital when he experienced the terrifying aftershock of the 2020 Beirut port explosion. Hundreds of tons of improperly stored ammonium nitrate detonated, resulting in the deaths of more than 200 individuals and leaving thousands injured.

Already grappling with the severe economic decline affecting the nation, the sight of the enormous mushroom cloud that followed the blast was the tipping point for Knayzeh. Like many Lebanese citizens, he decided to leave the country, resigning from his job and purchasing a one-way flight to escape Lebanon.

Now a university lecturer in France, Knayzeh’s recent trip to Lebanon coincided with breaking news of another deadly incident. Reports indicated that thousands of handheld pagers were exploding in residential areas, shops, markets, and streets throughout the nation. It was believed that Israel was targeting devices affiliated with the militant group Hezbollah. Stuck in traffic in Beirut, Knayzeh panicked, fearing that surrounding vehicles might be carrying the explosive devices.

As the chaos unfolded, hospitals quickly filled with injured victims. The scene brought back painful memories of the port explosion, which left lasting psychological scars on those who survived it.

The next day, another wave of explosions struck walkie-talkies. In total, at least 37 individuals lost their lives, with more than 3,000 others injured, the majority being civilians. While Israel has not officially confirmed its role in these events, it is widely believed to be responsible.

“The state of the country is unreal,” Knayzeh expressed.

The port explosion, marked as one of the largest nonnuclear blasts in history, occurred amidst a profound economic meltdown, financial collapse, and lingering feelings of helplessness following nationwide protests against corruption that led nowhere. This has compounded years of crises that have drastically altered life in Lebanon.

More than four years after the port disaster, investigations have stalled, leaving the ruined Mediterranean port untouched. The towering silos, now broken and shredded, stand as a haunting reminder of a nation in disarray. Political fragmentation has rendered Lebanon without a president or an effective government for over two years, while poverty continues to escalate.

Compounding the situation, Lebanon has faced an increasing risk of war with Israel over the past year. Israeli forces and Hezbollah have engaged in cross-border clashes, while Israeli jets regularly break the sound barrier over Beirut, terrorizing residents in their homes.

“I can’t believe this is happening again. How many more disasters can we endure?” lamented Jocelyn Hallak, a mother of three, two of whom now reside abroad. Her youngest child is set to leave Lebanon after graduating next year. “All this pain, when will it end?”

If a full-scale conflict with Israel occurs, it could have catastrophic consequences for Lebanon. The already beleaguered health care system has been preparing for potential military action, even before the recent influx of victims from the explosions. Most of the injuries reported were severe, affecting the face, eyes, and limbs, leaving many in critical condition and requiring extended hospitalization.

Despite the turmoil, Knayzeh, age 27, finds it difficult to stay away. He frequently returns to visit his girlfriend and family. The sounds of construction or any sudden noise make him flinch, a remnant of his experiences in Lebanon. When in France, he is often torn between a sense of normalcy and the anxiety for his family back home as he follows the ongoing struggles from a distance.

“It’s the connection to our homeland, or perhaps it is more about the loved ones left behind,” he reflected.

This summer, many Lebanese expatriates traveled back to visit family, despite the prevailing tensions. Their financial support and money spent during visits are crucial for boosting the economy, often serving as the primary income source for many families. However, following the recent tragic events, numerous individuals cut their trips short, fearing escalated violence after targeted assassinations of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders attributed to Israel.

Even in a country familiar with turmoil, the current level of confusion, insecurity, and anger is unprecedented. Many once thought the port blast was the pinnacle of horror—until the incidents with the exploding pagers shattered that perception this week.

“I witnessed horrific events that day,” recalled Mohammad al-Mousawi, who was out running errands in a neighborhood largely controlled by Hezbollah when the pager explosions erupted.

“Suddenly, I saw people on scooters rushing by, some gravely injured—missing fingers or even organs visible. Then the ambulances began to flood the area,” he added, recalling the similarities to the 2020 port explosion in terms of injuries and the overwhelming number of ambulance calls.

Maha Yahya, the director of the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center, expressed the collective trauma felt across the nation, saying, “This is yet another horror shaping our existence.”

The aftermath of the pager blasts has instilled fear and paranoia among the population. Parents are keeping children away from schools, wary of more explosions potentially occurring. Organizations, including the Lebanese civil defense, are advising personnel to turn off devices and remove batteries as a precaution. One mother recounted disconnecting her baby monitor along with other household items for safety.

Lebanon’s civil aviation authorities have imposed a ban on taking pagers and walkie-talkies on flights from Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport “until further notice.” Fear has gripped residents so intensely that some have resorted to sleeping with their phones in separate rooms.

In the city of Tyre, resident Hassan Hajo reflected on the toll of the pager explosions, noting that such a significant security breach poses a serious challenge for an organization like Hezbollah. On the verge of a speech from Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Hajo expressed hope for support from the speech, stating, “We have faced worse and endured.”

During his address, Nasrallah pledged to retaliate against Israel for the device attacks, as both sides continue to volley attacks across the border.

Israel has issued stern warnings of a possible extensive military operation targeting Hezbollah.

Marwan Mahfouz, another local, remarked on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing threats of war against Lebanon over the past year, suggesting he should simply follow through. “If we are going to die, we’ll die. We are already dying. We feel like we are already dead,” he claimed.