In a shocking turn of events, Lebanon was hit by a second wave of explosions as dozens of walkie-talkies detonated across the country. At least nine people were killed and around 300 others injured, according to Lebanon's health ministry. This comes just a day after blasts targeted the pagers of Hezbollah members, which resulted in the deaths of at least 12 people and injured over 2,800.

Although Israel had initially remained silent about Tuesday's explosions, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant hinted at Israeli involvement during a visit to an air force base in northern Israel. Gallant stated, "We are at the beginning of a new era in this war and we need to adapt ourselves," as he commended the achievements of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Shin Bet security agency, and the Mossad intelligence agency.

Previous reports from CNN have suggested that Tuesday's operation was a joint effort between the IDF and Mossad. However, this is the first time an Israeli official, Gallant, has seemingly acknowledged Israel's role in the twin attacks targeting Hezbollah.

The timing of the pager explosions is notable, as it occurred shortly after Israel announced an additional war objective in its conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah - ensuring the safe return of residents living along its border with Lebanon. Displacing tens of thousands of people from their homes in southern Lebanon and northern Israel, this objective has now been formally declared as an official war goal.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated the pledge to bring back the residents of the north safely to their homes. As a result, the IDF is reportedly relocating the elite 98th Division from Gaza to northern Israel, indicating a shift in focus towards the escalating tensions near the border with Lebanon.

The explosions on Wednesday caused chaos and devastation in Beirut and the southern parts of Lebanon. Witnesses described the scenes of destruction as walkie-talkies appeared to explode, with one witness recounting a loud bang followed by screams. The injuries were severe, with one man losing his hands and covered in blood from the explosion of his wireless device.

Photographs depict the ripped-apart wreckage of walkie-talkie devices, indicating the fierce impact of the explosions. In addition to the casualties, the Lebanese Civil Defense had their hands full as they worked to extinguish fires in 60 homes and shops, including a lithium battery store that caught fire.

Hezbollah, in response to Tuesday's attack that claimed lives and injured thousands, vowed to retaliate against Israel. The tense situation has further intensified the already heightened tensions in the Middle East due to Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

Speculation surrounding the exploit of low-tech wireless communication devices continues to grow. The New York Times reported that Israel concealed explosives within a batch of pagers, specifically manufactured by Gold Apollo in Taiwan and intended for Hezbollah. The explosives were embedded with a remote detonation switch, enabling the devastating blasts.

With Lebanon and Israel teetering on the brink of wider conflict and the dynamics shifting towards a more volatile situation, the international community anxiously watches the developments unfold in the region. The explosions and escalating tensions serve as a stark reminder of the fragile peace and the potential for further bloodshed in the Middle East.