Death toll from Lebanon's pager explosions rises to 12: minister

BEIRUT -- The death toll from Tuesday's pager explosions in Lebanon has risen to 12, including two children, with 2,750-2,800 others injured, Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad announced on Wednesday.

Of the total wounded, around 750 were reported in the south, 150 in the eastern Bekaa region, and 1,850 in the capital Beirut and its southern suburbs, Abiad said in a press conference, mentioning that about 300 injured are in critical condition.

Four of the victims were health sector workers, he noted, adding that more than 90 percent of the injured were treated in Lebanon, while some were transferred to Syria and even to Iran.

The minister praised the country's health sector, which has "performed a tremendous job" in handling this surprise attack, noting that the strike was "a major test of the emergency plan."

He noted that medical aid has begun to arrive in Lebanon, including shipments from Iraq and Jordan.

"Israel is moving towards escalation, and we as the Lebanese government do not want war," he said.

In a statement on Tuesday, Hezbollah accused Israel of being "fully responsible for the criminal aggression that also targeted civilians," threatening to retaliate, while Israel has not yet commented on the explosions.