Iraq sends medical aid to Lebanon after deadly pager explosions

NEWSROOM — An Iraqi military plane carrying 15 tons of medical supplies and a team of healthcare professionals landed in Beirut on Wednesday, following a series of explosions in Lebanon and parts of Syria. The blasts, which occurred on Tuesday, killed at least nine people and injured roughly 2,800 others. Hezbollah has accused Israel of orchestrating the attacks, which reportedly involved small explosives hidden in pagers and detonated remotely using advanced technology. Israel has yet to comment on the incident.

The Iraqi Ministry of Health issued a statement, confirming that the delivery of aid was made under the direction of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani. “In solidarity with the brotherly Lebanese people following the Zionist attack yesterday, the Iraqi Ministry of Health announces the arrival of a military aircraft carrying the first shipment, consisting of 15 tons of medicines, medical supplies, and high-level Iraqi medical teams,” the statement read.

The aid was received at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport by Lebanese Health Minister Firas Al-Abyad, Iraq’s Ambassador to Lebanon, and other senior officials. Minister Al-Abyad expressed his gratitude for the support, calling it a “generous initiative from Iraq” and praising the swift response.

The explosions occurred primarily in Hezbollah strongholds, including Beirut’s southern suburbs and southern Lebanon. Hospitals in the affected areas were overwhelmed by the number of injured patients, prompting a nationwide appeal for blood donations. Among the wounded was Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, who reportedly sustained minor injuries.

In response to the explosions, Hezbollah vowed retaliation against Israel, raising the prospect of further conflict between the two foes, who have already been engaged in cross-border strikes along the Israel-Lebanon border in recent months. A rocket attack in July that Israel blamed on Hezbollah killed 12 Israeli Druze civilians in the Golan Heights.