Former Lebanes minister Marwan Charbel holds Israel responsible for explosions in Lebanon, US calls for de-escalation

BEIRUT — Following the recent bombings that damaged communications equipment used by Iranian-backed Hezbollah members in Lebanon, former Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Charbel stated in a television interview that the attack specifically targeted Hezbollah. However, he emphasized that the victims of the attack were from across Lebanon, with the communications devices affecting around 5,000 pagers. These devices reportedly arrived in Beirut through a special order for Hezbollah, facilitated by a Hungarian company.

Taiwanese company Gold Apollo clarified that the exploded communication devices were of Hungarian origin, while announcing a partnership with BAC, a company based in Budapest. Meanwhile, Christiana Barsoni Arcidiacono, CEO of the Hungarian company involved, denied any manufacturing role, explaining that her company merely acted as an intermediary.

In response to the attacks, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a member of Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, called for decisive action against Israel, citing the injury of the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon in the explosions. Iranian officials Reda Haji and Abolqasem Jarrara also urged regional countries, including their own government, to prevent a recurrence of such incidents and advocated for banning Motorola equipment.

White House Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby stated that the United States was not involved in the bombings. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged all parties in the Middle East to refrain from actions that could escalate the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Ibrahim Mrad, President of the Universal Syriac Union Party (USUP), urged Lebanon’s Shiite community to resist Hezbollah’s influence, calling on the militia to hand over its weapons to the Lebanese Army, which he stated is the only legitimate force responsible for safeguarding all Lebanese citizens.