Hundreds of paging devices used by members of Hezbollah exploded across Lebanon in an attack that killed at least nine people, including a child, and wounded 2,800 more.

The blasts dealt a heavy blow to the group, which blamed its arch-foe Israel for the attack.

Western and Arab diplomats have relayed new Israeli warnings to the Lebanese government, saying that “the Israeli government can no longer remain idle over what’s happening in its northern regions” and that it is “cornered” due to “pressures from the population, from key parties in the governmental coalition and from some security and military officials,” a media report said.

Once lauded for reviving Lebanon's economy, former central bank chief Riad Salameh -- wanted abroad and reviled at home after years of financial meltdown -- was arrested on Tuesday by Lebanese authorities.

The 74-year-old French-Lebanese national is widely viewed as a key culprit in the country's dramatic economic crash, which the World Bank has called one of the worst in recent history.

Israelis were plunged into grief and anger this weekend after the military said six hostages were killed by their captors in Gaza just as troops were closing in on their location. The rage sparked massive protests and a general strike — the most intense domestic pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since the start of the war nearly 11 months ago.

Many Israelis blame Netanyahu for the mounting number of dead hostages and are calling for a cease-fire agreement to free the remaining roughly 100 captives — even if that means ending the conflict. Sunday's demonstrations were the largest show of support for a hostage deal since Oct. 7, when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel and kidnapped 250 people.