Hand-held radios utilized by Hezbollah detonated on Wednesday in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut, according to a security source and a witness, escalating tensions with Israel just one day after similar explosions triggered by the group’s pagers.

Reports from the state news agency indicate that three individuals lost their lives in Lebanon’s Bekaa region, with numerous others injured in the recent blast. At least one explosion occurred near a funeral held by Iran-backed Hezbollah for those who died the previous day when thousands of the group’s pagers exploded nationwide, injuring many of its fighters.

Following the chaos caused by the pager incidents, Hezbollah announced on Wednesday that it had launched rockets at Israeli artillery positions, marking its first offensive against its long-standing adversary since the blasts injured thousands of its members in Lebanon, raising concerns about a potential escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

A security source revealed that the hand-held radios were acquired by Hezbollah five months ago, coinciding with the purchase of the pagers.

Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, known for its intricate operations abroad, reportedly placed explosives within pagers imported by Hezbollah several months prior to the detonations that occurred on Tuesday, according to a senior Lebanese security official and another source who spoke to Reuters.

The death toll from the blasts has now reached 12, including two children, as confirmed by Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad on Wednesday. The attack injured nearly 3,000 individuals, among them numerous fighters from the militant group and Iran’s envoy to Beirut.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has called for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the exploding pagers.

A Taiwanese manufacturer of pagers has refuted claims that it produced the devices involved in this bold attack, which has heightened fears of a potential full-scale conflict between the Iran-supported Hezbollah and Israel. Gold Apollo stated that the devices were manufactured under license by a company named BAC, located in Budapest, Hungary.

There has been no immediate confirmation regarding the timing of Hezbollah’s latest rocket attack; however, the group typically announces such actions shortly after execution, indicating that the strikes were likely directed at Israeli artillery positions on Wednesday.

Hezbollah has pledged to retaliate against Israel, which has refrained from commenting on the explosions. Since the onset of the Gaza conflict last October, both parties have been involved in cross-border hostilities, raising concerns about a potential broader conflict in the Middle East that could involve the United States and Iran.

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has accused Israel of escalating tensions in the region, pushing it toward the brink of a wider war.

Mohanad Hage Ali from the Carnegie Middle East Center noted that while Hezbollah aims to avoid a full-scale war, the significant impact on families and civilians may create pressure for a more robust response.

Hezbollah, recognized as Iran’s most influential proxy in the region, stated it would continue to support Hamas in Gaza, warning Israel to expect a reaction to the “massacre” that resulted in numerous casualties among fighters and civilians.

A Hezbollah official described the incident as the group’s “largest security breach” in its history. Footage from hospitals depicted individuals with various injuries, including facial wounds and severe injuries to limbs, likely caused by the pagers.

Sources indicated that the plot had been in development for several months, following a series of targeted assassinations of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders attributed to Israel since the beginning of the Gaza conflict.