Hundreds of mourners gathered in a central square in Beirut on Wednesday to mark the first anniversary of Israel's deadly pager bombings, which killed scores across Lebanon and left lasting scars on civilian life.
On September 17 and 18 last year, thousands of explosive-laden pagers and walkie-talkies blew up simultaneously across Lebanon, resulting in severe casualties, including members of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
Israel later claimed responsibility for the deadly attacks.
"We organized this event because the incident that took place on September 17 cannot be treated as an ordinary crime. Israel has committed countless crimes against the Lebanese people, but this one holds special significance, as the civilian equipment they used was found everywhere in homes, shops, and on the streets. This is why many children were attacked," said Khalil Harb, the organizer of the event.
Defying grief and destruction, more than 300 Beirut residents joined Wednesday's commemoration to assert national resilience and solidarity.
"First, this is a painful commemoration for the entire country and the Lebanese people, without exception. We are participating to show the victims and the injured that we stand in solidarity with them. Our hands are their hands, and our eyes are their eyes. After all, they represent the wounds of our entire nation," said Shirine, an event participant.
"We have recovered mentally, and our social connections have also been restored. Our influence in society is growing. The enemy aimed to destroy us, wanting to bring us down, but we did not succumb," said Ali Ibrahim, one of the injured of the explosions.
Hundreds mourn victims of Israel's pager bombings in Lebanon one year on
Hundreds mourn victims of Israel's pager bombings in Lebanon one year on
Hundreds mourn victims of Israel's pager bombings in Lebanon one year on
