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Hezbollah vowed retaliation after two waves of detonations of pagers and walkie-talkies across the country that appeared to be part of sophisticated Israeli attacks against members of the Iran-backed group’s communication network, the Washington Post reported.

Starting on Tuesday, thousands of pagers and hand-held radios – used primarily by Hezbollah members – denotated across the country, with analysts suggesting that explosives were planted in the devices before their distribution, likely as part of a premeditated operation.

At least 12 people including two children died and around 2,800 others were injured in the explosions. Among the injured was Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon.

A second wave of explosions followed on Wednesday with hundreds of walkie-talkies detonating, killing 20 and injuring at least 450 people, the BBC reported.

The attacks shocked Lebanon as they triggered memories of the 2020 port explosion that devastated the capital, Beirut, and killed more than 200 people.

Israeli officials neither confirmed nor denied involvement in the attacks, but US officials told Axios that Israel had been planning the pager operation for some time, choosing to execute it on Tuesday out of concern that Hezbollah had discovered the plot.

US officials said that while Israel communicated with Washington before the operation, they did not provide specific details. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US “did not know about, nor was it involved in these incidents.”

The explosions were aimed at destabilizing Hezbollah and its communication channels. Hezbollah relies on pagers and other low tech to communicate to avoid the risk of being tracked by Israeli intelligence through cell phones.

This attack exposed the vulnerability of the group’s communication networks and could possibly create further distrust within its ranks, according to NBC News.

Adding to the mystery is the origin of the devices: The pagers were manufactured by Taiwan’s Gold Apollo, though the company clarified that the specific batch was produced by the Hungary-based BAC Consulting firm. Both companies distanced themselves from the explosions, with the Taiwanese manufacturer stressing its lack of direct involvement.

The attack drew international condemnation, with regional leaders calling the Lebanese government to express their concern and support. It also prompted calls for de-escalating tensions in the Middle East amid the nearly year-long war in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas, another Iran-backed group.

Hezbollah has been engaged in cross-border attacks with Israel since the outbreak of the October conflict. The group blamed Israel for the attack and promised a severe retaliation.

Even so, both Israeli and US officials believe Hezbollah could retaliate militarily, but added that the fear of more security breaches might delay the armed group’s response.