Lebanon Pager Explosions Condemned by Snowden as Reckless ‘Terrorism’

At least nine people were killed and nearly 2,800 injured across Lebanon after a wave of synchronized pager explosions.

The explosions, which targeted pagers used by Hezbollah members and others, were described by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden as "reckless" due to the risk to civilians.

Writing on X, Snowden suggested the blasts were caused by "implanted explosives" rather than hacking, citing the severity and consistency of the injuries.

"What Israel has just done is, via any method, reckless," Snowden stated, criticizing the potential for widespread harm to civilians, describing the act as "indistinguishable from terrorism."

The Lebanese Resistance group Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the explosions, labeling the event a "sinful aggression" and promising retaliation.

Though Israel has not claimed responsibility, it has previously launched airstrikes against Hezbollah and recently threatened further military aggression against Lebanon.

Reports from Sky News Arabia, citing unnamed sources, claim that the Israeli spy agency Mossad planted PETN explosives in the pagers' batteries, remotely detonating them by raising the temperature.

The devices were reportedly part of a shipment that arrived in Lebanon earlier this year.

Lebanese authorities confirmed that civilians were among those injured in the explosions, while a Hezbollah source, cited by France 24, reported that a 10-year-old girl was among the martyrs.

Hezbollah acknowledged the deaths of eight of its members, according to Sky News Arabia.

Meanwhile, US officials have only cautioned Israel against actions that could escalate into a full-scale war in Lebanon.