Lebanon blast toll rises to 12, 2 children among victims

Hundreds of wireless devices exploded simultaneously in Lebanon on September 17, hours after Israel said it was expanding its war aims in Gaza to include its fight against Hamas ally Hezbollah.

Israel has not yet commented on the unprecedented attacks.

Abyad said 12 people had been killed and between 2,750 and 2,800 others wounded, updating the death toll.

"After checking all hospitals, the number of dead has been changed to 12 people, including two children," the minister said.

The dead include a girl and a boy, as well as four health workers from private hospitals in Beirut's southern suburbs.

The militants struck in the main strongholds of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in southern Beirut and in eastern and southern Lebanon. | BGNES