Lebanon · updated 3h ago · 3 min read
U.S. Geological Survey Records 4.1 Earthquake After Israel Destroys Hezbollah Tunnels in Ali al-Tahir Heights
USGS recorded a 4.1 magnitude tremor linked to Israeli tunnel destruction at Ali al-Tahir. Israel says it destroyed Hezbollah tunnels beneath Ali al-Taher, completing a security zone.
Whether to foreground claimed tunnel casualties or white-phosphorus allegations.
3 of 4 outlets skipped it: israeli authorities found dozens of bodies inside the tunnels.
The Times of Israel was read line by line by the Watchdog: 4.9. See the score →
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Same story, two versions
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Al Jazeera
“Reports citing Israeli sources said dozens of bodies of Hezbollah fighters were found inside the tunnels.”Read the original ↗
Al-Khaleej Newspaper
“An international report documented Israel's use of white phosphorus 23 times in southern Lebanon.”
Translated from the original.
Read the original ↗Al Jazeera emphasises claimed bodies found in tunnels, while Al-Khaleej foregrounds an international white-phosphorus report.
Ali al-Taher blast and quake
A 4.1-magnitude earthquake was recorded in southern Lebanon after an explosion targeting a Hezbollah tunnel network beneath the strategic Ali al-Tahir heights, according to the United States Geological Survey.
“The United States Geological Survey recorded a 4.1 magnitude earthquake in southern Lebanon”
The explosion was tied to Israeli claims that its forces destroyed Hezbollah’s underground infrastructure in the highlands, with the Israeli army saying it managed to 'disassemble the subterranean routes' and complete what it described as 'operational control' over the area.
The Israeli account said the highlands housed eight underground routes containing weapons, drones, and military equipment, and an Israeli official said this infrastructure was built with 'joint funding and planning' by Iran.
Al Jazeera also reported that Israel’s military said it destroyed a network of Hezbollah tunnels on the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, and that reports citing Israeli sources said dozens of bodies of Hezbollah fighters were found inside the tunnels.A
Claims, casualties, and accountability
In Lebanon, the official National News Agency reported that the Israeli army carried out a “violent explosion on Tal Al-Taher on the outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, causing tremors and a constantly echoing blast heard in Nabatieh and its surroundings.”
A joint statement carried by Al Jazeera’s correspondent Fatima Khmaaisi said Israel used more than 1,100 tons of explosives in the operation targeting Talat Ali al-Tahir, and the Israeli army said the operation extended to tunnels and infrastructure linked to Hezbollah that it described as strategic.A
Al Jazeera’s correspondent Fatima Khamaisi reported that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the hill as the “largest Iranian site outside Iran,” while Brig. AGen. Hassan Joneh said destroying a heavily fortified elevated position does not necessarily equate to control over it or occupation.
Al Jazeera also quoted a U.S. AState Department spokesperson urging the Lebanese government to adopt a plan to disarm all lands in Lebanon, and said Washington was “closely monitoring calls from south Lebanon where residents are urging their government to assert sovereignty.”
Security zone, displacement, and next steps
The Israeli government said the operation helped consolidate a security zone at the Ali al-Taher Hill site, and a joint statement said Israeli forces would remain in the area to prevent Hezbollah, backed by Iran, from reestablishing its military presence or rebuilding its infrastructure and capabilities.
“Israeli forces would remain in the area to prevent Hezbollah, backed by Iran”
Al-Masri Al-Yawm reported that Netanyahu and Yoav Galant said the Israeli army gained operational control over the hill, both above and below ground, before dismantling military infrastructure that the army said stretched over more than two kilometers and contained dozens of missiles and unmanned aircraft.
ABNA said Israel’s expansion of operations north of the Litani River, including Arabsalim and Kfar Reman, was part of a bid to completely change the field equation in southern Lebanon, and it warned that any Israeli withdrawal must be accompanied by coordination with the Lebanese government and the guarantee of the Lebanese army’s deployment in evacuated areas.
ABNA also framed the broader stakes by saying the war against Lebanon since early March resulted in the martyrdom of 4,532 people, the wounding of 12,318 others, and the displacement of over one million people, while it said Israeli forces had advanced more than 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory during the current attacks.