Lebanon pager blasts expected to prompt greater caution in China about electronic devices

The deadly pager explosions in Lebanon could prompt increased caution in China about the weaponisation of electric products, analysts have said.

On Tuesday, handheld pagers simultaneously blew up in parts of Lebanon and Syria wounding several thousand people and killing 12, including two children.

Among those injured were Hezbollah fighters and Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon.

Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate against Israel for the attack, while Iran has condemned “Israeli terrorism”. Meanwhile Hamas called the blasts an “escalation” that would only lead Israel to “failure and defeat”.

A New York Times report, citing American and other officials, said that Israel had hidden explosive material in a batch of pagers made by Taiwanese manufacturer Gold Apollo before they were imported to Lebanon.