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.

As dozens of walkie-talkies exploded across Lebanon on Wednesday – a day after blasts targeted the pagers of Hezbollah members injured thousands – Israel has said a “new era” of war is beginning, tacitly acknowledging its role in the shock operation which has pushed the region back to the brink of wider conflict.

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.