Terminal at Rafik Hariri International Airport. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/OLJ)
The Directorate General of Lebanese Civil Aviation issued a statement Thursday, instructing "all companies, institutions, and investors operating at Rafik Hariri International Airport (RHIA) to inform their employees that, effective immediately and until further notice, it is forbidden to bring any type of pager or walkie-talkie (specifically Icom, VC, or V82 models) into all airport buildings and areas."
This decision, following the explosion of thousands of these devices during two deadly attacks targeting Hezbollah members on Tuesday and Wednesday, includes baggage holds and cargo compartments on planes. The General Security will confiscate any devices found at the airport, the directive added.
At least 37 people have been killed and more than 3,000 injured by the explosion of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members during two waves of attacks. Lebanon and Hezbollah claim that Israel is behind these attacks.
Israel has not claimed responsibility for these operations. The Lebanese army announced Thursday that it is conducting controlled explosions of suspicious pagers and communication devices in various areas of the country. They have urged residents to report any suspicious devices.