Overseas in the Middle East, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken
landed in the region overnight in the aftermath of the
deadly attack in Lebanon, thousands of pagers blowing to members.
Hezbollah exploded across the country.
It was an Israeli operation.
The region's now braced for response.
Chief global affairs anchor Martha Raddatz is on the scene
in Tel Aviv.
Good morning, Martha.
Good morning, George.
The death toll is rising this morning in Lebanon in
this unprecedented, incredibly sophisticated attack.
And this morning, Hezbollah vowing revenge against Israel.
This morning, Hezbollah stunned and crippled by this brazen, highly
coordinated attack.
Thousands of wireless pagers, which Hezbollah uses to communicate and
carry out its own attacks simultaneously exploding across Lebanon.
Operatives reportedly hearing a beeping sound, expecting a message and
instead the pagers blowing up in hands in front of
faces.
And here you see in a grocery store, photos circulating
on social media appear to show the remains of a
pager model used in the attack.
Graphic images circulating online showing fingers blown off, bloodied faces
and damaged eyes.
Bystanders rushing to help the injured.
Blood spilled in the streets.
Hospitals overwhelmed.
At least 2800 were wounded, many critically.
close to a dozen killed, including a child, according to
the Lebanese.
Iran's ambassador to Lebanon also wounded.
Our Marcus Moore is on the ground in Lebanon.
We are just outside American University Hospital in Beirut.
The relatives of the injured gathering out Front Doctors, saying
that they have suffered serious burns, amputations and also facial
injuries in Hezbollah, now vowing to retaliate.
Israel has not commented, but sources tell ABC News that
Israel embedded explosives in the pagers which were then sold
to Hezbollah.
AUS intelligence source tells ABC News that Israel has long
been working to perfect what's called a supply chain interdiction
attack.
Hezbollah leadership had warned members months ago to stop using
mobile phones, fearing they had been compromised, so pagers were
then ordered.
According to the US source, Israeli shipments would have been
intercepted with a small amount of explosive and detonators inserted
into the devices before being delivered.
What seems to be a very sophisticated operation by the
Israelis actually worked by using lower technology, the pagers that
they used to implant with explosive that would have detonated
on all of the Hezbollah operators who are affected.
This comes as Israel and Hezbollah exchange missile and rocket
fire along the Lebanese border, with Israel warning the military
campaign will ramp up.
And Hezbollah this morning saying A reckoning will come.
And this morning, U.S.
officials have no doubt that Hezbollah will take revenge here
in Israel.
But Hezbollah is reeling from the widespread attack, losing communications
and leaving thousands of operatives wounded and some dead.
So it may take some time for a response.
Robin, that region is on edge.
All right, Martha.
Thank you.