Israel strike on Hezbollah tunnel causes 4.1-magnitude tremor

Israel destroyed a network of Hezbollah tunnels in southern Lebanon on Friday, sparking a 4.1‑magnitude tremor that was felt across the border region. The strike, carried out by the Israeli Air Force, targeted a complex of underground passages that Hezbollah has used for decades to move weapons and personnel into Israel’s northern border.

The tunnels have been a thorn in Israel’s side since the 2006 war, when Hezbollah used them to launch attacks and to smuggle rockets toward Israeli towns. In recent months, Israel has stepped up pressure on the Lebanese group after a series of cross‑border skirmishes and after Hezbollah’s support for Hamas in the Gaza conflict. The Israeli military said the operation was part of a broader effort to neutralise threats that could be used for future attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers.

Lebanese officials condemned the strike, calling it an act of aggression that could destabilise the fragile ceasefire in the south. Hezbollah’s public spokesperson did not immediately comment, but the group has warned that it will retaliate against any Israeli intrusion. The tremor, while not causing damage, highlighted the scale of the underground network, which stretches for kilometres beneath the Beqaa Valley and has been reinforced with concrete and steel.

Israel is likely to continue targeting the tunnels as part of its “border security” strategy, while Lebanon may seek mediation from the United Nations or the Arab League to prevent further escalation. Analysts say the operation could either deter Hezbollah from future incursions or provoke a retaliatory response that would raise tensions in the region. The situation remains volatile as both sides weigh the risks of a broader conflict.