LONDON -- Thousands of people were injured across Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday by an Israeli covert operation that remotely detonated pagers, ABC News sources confirmed.A source described the attack as a "huge operation" that took between six and 12 months to plan, involving the use of informants and collaborators.Explosives were implanted inside the beepers, the source added.The attack killed at least 12 civilians -- among them an 8-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy -- according to Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad.At least 2,800 people were injured, Abiad said.
More than 460 people underwent surgery for serious injuries, the minister added.Most victims are suffering from eye and facial injuries, while others suffered injuries to hands and fingers, he said.An ambulance rushes wounded people to a hospital in Beirut on September 17, 2024, after explosions hit locations in several Hezbollah strongholds around Lebanon amid ongoing cross-border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah fighters.
Hundreds of people were wounded when Hezbollah members' paging devices exploded simultaneously across Lebanon on September 17, in what a source close to the militant movement said was an "Israeli breach" of its communications.(Photo by Anwar AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty ImagesThe Hezbollah militant group confirmed that 11 of its members were killed on Tuesday, though did not specify the manner of their deaths.At least 14 people were also injured in targeted attacks on Hezbollah members in Syria, according to the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Hezbollah vowed a "reckoning" for Israel.
Leader Hassan Nasrallah is due to speak on the situation on Thursday afternoon.The pagers began exploding around 3:30 p.m.local time, according to Hezbollah officials.
An intelligence source familiar with the situation told ABC News that Israel has long been working to perfect this type of "supply chain interdiction attack."MORE: Israel be...