At least 12 people, including two children, were killed as pagers used by members of Hezbollah exploded in an attack targeting the Iran-backed militant group, Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad said Wednesday.

Since Hezbollah has reduced the use of mobile phones by its forces because Israel can easily detect and target them, pagers have increasingly become the preferred messaging device within the group.

Israel's terrorist attack marks a new stage in the criminalization of imperialist foreign policy, setting a precedent for the legitimization of terrorist attacks on both political leaders and the broader civilian population.

BEIRUT, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Hand-held radios used by armed group Hezbollah detonated on Wednesday across Lebanon's south in the country's deadliest day since cross-border fighting erupted between the militants and Israel nearly a year ago, stoking tensions after similar explosions of the group's pagers the day before.

Israel’s government is in turmoil and the United States is trying to head off a wider conflict in Lebanon, leaving officials to wonder about the timing of the attack.

The explosions came a day after an apparent Israeli attack targeting pagers used by Hezbollah killed at least 12 and wounded nearly 3,000. Associated Press journalists reported multiple explosions at the site of a Beirut funeral for three Hezbollah members and a child killed by exploding pagers the day before.

Hezbollah threatened Israel after thousands of its members’ pagers exploded across Lebanon, killing 12. Israel has not commented on whether it was responsible.