Lebanese individuals who suffered injuries during Israel's pager bombings are still on the long road to recovery, marking a year since the traumatic event.
In September 2024, Lebanon was rocked by a series of explosions that occurred when thousands of pagers, procured by Hezbollah, detonated unexpectedly. Among the victims was Zainab Mustarah, a 27-year-old woman from Beirut, who was left with severe injuries.
Elias Jrade, a Lebanese member of parliament and eye surgeon, took it upon himself to help those affected by the explosions. He recalled instances where children and women approached him, inquiring about their condition, but he was unable to provide them with answers.
The explosions, it was later revealed, were the opening salvo of a war between Israel and Hezbollah. A Reuters investigation found that Israel had concealed a small but potent charge of plastic explosive and a detonator into the pagers.
One of those affected by the explosions was Mohammed Nasser Al-Din, the director of the medical equipment and engineering department at Al-Rasoul Al-Aazam Hospital, a Hezbollah-affiliated facility. Al-Din lost his left eye, left fingers, and sustained shrapnel in his skull. He was in a coma for two weeks following the explosion and is still undergoing surgeries to his face.
Zainab Mustarah, too, was severely injured. She lost the fingers on her right hand and 90 percent of her sight due to the explosion. Despite this, she has undergone 14 surgeries, including in Iran, and has 7 cosmetic reconstruction surgeries left.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, stated that the explosions violated international human rights law. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, gave the green light for the attacks.
Al-Din, however, woke to learn of the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a barrage of Israeli strikes. This news was a stark contrast to his own personal struggle. It was only when his son saw his condition that Al-Din finally shed a tear.
Some of the cases affected by the explosions will require lifelong treatment, according to Jrade. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the devastating impact of war and the importance of adhering to international human rights law.
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