Israel demolishes Hezbollah tunnels as earthquake is recorded in southern Lebanon

Israel said it had completed the demolition of underground infrastructure attributed to Hezbollah on the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, describing the site as strategic infrastructure built over two decades with Iranian funding and planning.

The explosion was felt locally, while Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported a powerful blast, tremors and a loud rumble in the Nabatieh region. Footage released by Israel’s defence minister showed a fireball rising into the sky, according to France 24.

The US Geological Survey recorded a magnitude-4.1 earthquake in southern Lebanon after the Israeli military announced the tunnel demolition. The available reporting does not establish whether the blast caused the earthquake or whether the events were coincidental or otherwise related.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the demolition established operational control of the ridge above and below ground. Those claims, including the description of the tunnels and their alleged Iranian backing, have not been independently established in the available material.

The incident occurred amid a wider regional conflict involving Israel, Hezbollah, Iran and armed groups in Yemen.