Israeli strike with 1,000 tonnes of explosives shakes Lebanon

An Israeli military strike using more than 1,000 tonnes of explosives to destroy an underground Hezbollah facility in southern Lebanon caused tremors equivalent to a magnitude-4.1 earthquake, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and data from the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The IDF said it destroyed two tunnels beneath Ali Taher Ridge, with the underground network stretching more than two kilometres. Footage released by the Israeli military showed a huge fireball lighting up the sky following the blast.

Ahmed, a resident of Nabatieh living about six kilometres west of Ali Taher Ridge, told the BBC that the sky suddenly lit up before a terrifying sound was heard about 15 seconds later. He said buildings shook so strongly that it felt like an earthquake. Residents reportedly fled the area towards Beirut, while the tremors were also felt in the coastal city of Sidon, around 40 kilometres to the north.

The Israeli military said the underground complex included a command centre used by Hezbollah’s Badr Unit and contained dozens of rockets, missiles and drones, along with anti-tank weapons, mines and explosives. The IDF said the operation destroyed eight tunnels in the area.

There was no immediate reaction from Hezbollah or the Lebanese government. Israeli forces took control of the area last week following months of fighting with Hezbollah. A significant part of southern Lebanon captured since the conflict resumed in March remains under Israeli military control.

-HIS