Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced on Wednesday that Israel is "in the beginning of a new stage of the war" against Hezbollah.

He made the remarks amidst two consecutive days of deadly explosions of pagers and communication devices across Lebanon allegedly carried out by Israel. 

Speaking at a military airbase in northern Israel, Gallant said Israel is "shifting northward by reallocating resources, energy and forces."

"We are at the beginning of a new phase in the war; this requires boldness, determination and perseverance," Gallant said. He added that the goal is "to return the residents of the northern communities to their homes safely."

According to Lebanon's health ministry, 20 people were killed and over 450 others are injured as several places in the country were hit by a second wave of device explosions on Wednesday, a day after pagers used by Hezbollah blew up, killing 12 and wounding about 2,800.

In a statement on Tuesday, Hezbollah accused Israel of being "fully responsible for the criminal aggression that also targeted civilians" and threatened retaliation.

(With input from Xinhua)