Japan firm says production of devices used in Lebanon blasts discontinued in 2014

Japanese radio equipment maker Icom Inc stated that it cannot confirm whether the two-way radio reportedly involved in explosions in Lebanon was shipped by the company. The device in question, which requires batteries that were discontinued nearly a decade ago, has also been out of production since 214, according to Icom. The company is currently investigating the reports.

“Earlier today in worldwide media, there have been reports that two-way radio devices bearing the Icom logo have exploded in Lebanon,” the company said in a statement.

“We are currently investigating the facts surrounding this matter. We will release updated information as it becomes available on our website,” the Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed firm added.

Images of the exploded walkie-talkies showed labels marked with “ICOM” and “Made in Japan,” raising concerns over the origin of the devices involved.

In the second wave of explosions on Wednesday, 20 people were killed and more than 450 wounded in Hezbollah-controlled areas of Lebanon, according to local officials.

A source close to Hezbollah indicated that the devices used by its members detonated in their stronghold in Beirut, while state media reported similar blasts in the southern and eastern regions of the country, news agency Reuters reported.

This came a day after hundreds of paging devices used by Hezbollah detonated, resulting in the death of 12 people —including two children — and injuring around 2,800 others across Lebanon.

Although Israel is yet to comment on the back-to-back explosions, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has announced a “new phase in the war”.

Speaking to Israeli troops on Wednesday, Gallant said, “We are at the start of a new phase in the war, it requires courage, determination and perseverance.”