Israel explosives ridge Lebanon blast shakes region
Israel’s military said it detonated more than 1,100 tonnes of explosives on the Ali al‑Taher ridge in southern Lebanon on Thursday, creating a seismic event measured by the U.S. Geological Survey as a magnitude‑4.1 earthquake. The blast was described by Israeli officials as the destruction of a “major underground Hezbollah base,” the largest single charge reported in the current Israel‑Hezbollah confrontation.
Residents of villages along the ridge reported windows shattering and dust clouds lingering for hours. In the nearby town of Marjayoun, several homes showed cracked walls and families were temporarily displaced while they assessed damage. Farmers expressed concern that the shock could affect irrigation channels and soil fertility, threatening harvests in an area already strained by the war.
The Israel Defense Forces said the target was an alleged network of tunnels used by Hezbollah to move personnel and weapons beneath the high ground. Israeli intelligence and aerial surveillance had identified the tunnels as part of a “major underground complex.” The United Kingdom’s BBC, the Independent World and Al Jazeera reported the same scale of the explosion but used varying terms – “underground complex,” “major underground Hezbollah base” or “alleged tunnels.” None of the outlets provided independent verification, and no on‑the‑ground teams have been allowed to inspect the crater.
The USGS recorded the seismic event at magnitude 4.1, a level that can cause minor structural damage. Analysts estimate the 1,100 tonnes of explosives – roughly equivalent to 250 tons of TNT per charge – were placed in a series of simultaneous detonations intended to collapse the tunnel network. The size of the blast signals a shift in the conflict, moving from aerial strikes to large‑scale subterranean demolition.
Lebanese authorities responded quickly. The Ministry of Public Works announced an inspection of the main road that runs along the ridge to ensure it remains passable for commercial traffic. Security forces on both sides raised alerts, and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon called for independent monitoring to verify the claims and assess civilian impact.
The operation fits a broader pattern of Israel targeting Hezbollah’s alleged underground infrastructure, a tactic that has intensified since the conflict erupted in October 2023. Israeli officials argue the strikes are pre‑emptive measures to neutralize threats, while Hezbollah has not confirmed the existence of the tunnels and warned of retaliation.
International observers are seeking verification. The United States and the European Union have expressed interest in obtaining satellite imagery and seismic data to corroborate Israel’s claims. Humanitarian agencies are preparing to deliver emergency assistance to residents whose homes were damaged.
The blast raises immediate concerns for civilian safety, local infrastructure and regional stability. Whether the explosion will alter the tempo of hostilities or prompt new safety protocols remains uncertain as the region braces for further developments.