Exploding Pagers And Radios: A Terrifying Violation Of International Law, Say UN Experts

The attacks reportedly killed at least 32 people and now have accumulated a total of 3,250 total injured, including 400 critically. Among the dead are a boy and a girl, as well as medical personnel. Around 500 people suffered severe eye injuries, including a diplomat. Others suffered grave injuries to their faces, hands and bodies.

The pagers and radios were reportedly distributed mainly among people allegedly associated with the Hezbollah movement, which includes civilian and military personnel and is involved in an armed conflict with Israel along the border.

Humanitarian law additionally prohibits the use of booby-traps disguised as apparently harmless portable objects where specifically designed and constructed with explosives – and this could include a modified civilian pager, the experts said. A booby-trap is a device designed to kill or injure, that functions unexpectedly when a person performs an apparently safe act, such as answering a pager.

The experts urged the UN to carry out a prompt, effective, thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the attacks, for which they offered assistance. 

The experts urged all parties to refrain from further violations of humanitarian law and settle their disputes peacefully in accordance with international law.