Hundreds of handheld pagers have exploded almost simultaneously across Lebanon and in parts of Syria, killing at least nine people, government and Hezbollah officials say

Gold Apollo said it authorized its brand on the pagers that exploded in Lebanon and Syria but “the design and manufacturing” was ”solely the responsibility” of a Budapest-based company.

Pagers used by hundreds of members of the militant group Hezbollah exploded near simultaneously in Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday, killing at least nine people -- including an 8-year-old girl -- and wounding several thousand,

Explosions continued Wednesday in Lebanon, killing at least 20 people. The Lebanese government and Hezbollah blame Israel for the apparently coordinated attack. Israel’s defense minister said they are “at the start of a new phase in the war.

The unprecedented attack, followed by explosions of walkie-talkies, comes after Israeli officials warned about escalating tensions on the Lebanese border.

Lebanese officials say more handheld devices exploded a day after thousands of pagers carried by Hezbollah members blew up in an attack blamed on Israel.

Hundreds of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah exploded across Lebanon in unprecedented attacks this week, killing 32 people and wounding more than 3,000 others.A second wave of explosions, this time involving walkie-talkies,