Israel makes first statement after pager explosion in Lebanon

According to RIA Novosti on September 19, the Israeli Foreign Ministry issued the first statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after a series of pager explosions in Lebanon.

“I said: we will return the northern residents to their safe homes. We will do this,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said.

Earlier, on September 17, many pagers exploded in different areas of Lebanon. About 2,800 people were injured, 12 people died. According to press reports, these devices are used by Hezbollah as a closed communication system, least vulnerable to attacks and eavesdropping.

The Lebanese movement and government hold Israel responsible for the incident. Hezbollah also warned Tel Aviv of a harsh response.

According to Reuters, Israel's Mossad intelligence agency planted explosives in 5,000 Taiwanese-made pagers at the request of the Lebanese movement. The Axios news portal reported, citing sources, that the operation was approved at meetings between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his cabinet and security chiefs.

A day later, on the evening of September 18, a source for RIA Novosti also reported further explosions from communication devices between members of the Hezbollah movement in different parts of Lebanon. As the An-Nahar newspaper clarified, this time the radios that Hezbollah had purchased almost simultaneously with the pagers about five months ago exploded. The Lebanese authorities said that 20 people were killed and 450 others were injured.

On the US side, White House spokesman John Kirby said the US "had nothing to do" with the explosions that shook Lebanon on September 17 and 18.

"We had nothing to do with the events that occurred. I emphasize - no way," Mr. John Kirby said at a press conference on September 18.

Mr Kirby added that Washington is taking steps to prevent the opening of a “second front” of the Middle East conflict, bordering Lebanon.