Escalation in the Middle East: Hezbollah Strikes Back with Rocket Attacks

Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israeli artillery positions for the first time, escalating tensions after explosives hidden in pagers wounded thousands in Lebanon, including Hezbollah fighters and Iran's envoy. The attack has raised fears of a broader Middle East conflict. Lebanese sources suspect Mossad involvement in planting the explosives.

Iran-backed Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israeli artillery positions on Wednesday, marking its first strike since explosive-laden pagers detonated in Lebanon, wounding thousands and raising the specter of a wider Middle East conflict.

A senior Lebanese security source and another source indicated that Israel's Mossad had planted the explosives inside pagers imported by Hezbollah months earlier. The death toll from the blasts rose to 12, including two children, while nearly 3,000 people were injured, said Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad.

The attacks and subsequent tension have ignited concerns of a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah, whose military engagement spiked after the Gaza conflict erupted last October. Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi accused Israel of orchestrating a dangerous multi-front escalation. Hezbollah, vowing retaliation, warned Israel to prepare for a response to what it termed the pager 'massacre.'

(With inputs from agencies.)