With the push of an aggressive button, Lebanon experienced a new wave of terror from explosions targeting communication devices in various areas of the south and the suburbs. According to the latest update from the Ministry of Health, 14 people have been killed and over 450 injured in this rampant criminal act.

In light of this, the United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency session on Friday to discuss the series of deadly explosions that affected communication devices belonging to Hezbollah in Lebanon, as announced by the Slovenian presidency of the council. The meeting, which comes at Algeria's request, will take place at 15:00 (19:00 GMT).

Locally, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati responded to the recent security breach, urging global conscience and asserting that "nothing can ensure safety and peace for Lebanon and prevent the specter of war from looming except what we will undertake." Additionally, Patriarch Raï condemned the Israeli aggression and called for comprehensive and just peace.

In response to the attack on Lebanon, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant stated that Israel is entering a new phase of war that demands courage, determination, and perseverance. He noted at an Air Force base that "the center of gravity is shifting northward by reallocating resources and forces."

Amid escalating tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that "Israel will ensure the return of tens of thousands of residents from the northern border areas to their homes."

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk emphasized that those responsible for the explosion of Hezbollah's communication devices in Lebanon "must be held accountable." He stated that "the simultaneous targeting of thousands of individuals, whether civilians or armed group members, without knowledge of who possessed the targeted devices, their location, or the surrounding environment at the time of the attack, constitutes a violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law."

EU High Representative Josep Borrell described the explosions in Lebanon as "extremely concerning" and condemned the attacks that jeopardize Lebanon's security and stability.

In a related context, Iranian President Masoud Bezhakian characterized the simultaneous explosions of Hezbollah's communication devices in Lebanon as a "stain of shame" on Western countries, particularly the United States, Israel's ally.

Commenting on the events, the Houthis stated that "Israel's resort to this type of explosion in Lebanon indicates its inability to engage in direct military confrontation."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken denied any U.S. knowledge or involvement in the explosion of communication devices in Lebanon. Speaking at a joint press conference with Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdel Atti in Cairo, he asserted that "a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is the best way to prevent further escalation in the Middle East."

Regionally, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman affirmed that the Kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel before "the establishment of a Palestinian state," expressing Riyadh's condemnation of the "crimes" of the Israeli state.

On the international front, a source told Reuters that Germany has suspended approval for the export of military weapons to Israel, pending resolution of legal issues regarding such exports from Germany, which are claimed to violate humanitarian law.

Economically, for the first time in over four years, the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary policy committee decided to cut interest rates by 50 basis points, bringing them to a range of 4.75% to 5%.