Why did Israel blow up hundreds of Hezbollah pagers — and what might happen next?

A region fearing all-out war may have been taken to the brink by a legion of pagers.

A region fearing all-out war may have been taken to the brink by a legion of pagers.

But the wave of explosions in supermarkets and streets across Lebanon on Tuesday constituted a stunning mass attack that reverberated far beyond the Beirut suburb that is home to their target, the militant and political group Hezbollah. 

At least 12 people were killed, including an 11-year old boy and an 8-year old girl, and more than 2,700 injured in the coordinated blasts, the country’s health minister said Wednesday. The attacks are ongoing, with reports Wednesday of more devices exploding across Lebanon, killing at least 9 and injuring hundreds.

Israel has not claimed responsibility for the operation, but Hezbollah laid the blame squarely on its adversary, and two U.S. officials told NBC News that Israel was behind the attack. 

From Russia to Jordan, countries warned this was a dangerous escalation after months of simmering conflict in the Middle East. NBC News looks at what the operation might have been aiming to achieve and what could come next. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-hezbollah-pagers-explosions-what-now-rcna171602

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