Magnitude 5 Earthquake Shakes Northern and Central Israel - No Reported Casualties

A magnitude 5 earthquake was felt late last night (between Monday and Tuesday) across northern and central Israel, with residents in cities such as Haifa and Tel Aviv reporting strong tremors that shook their homes. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Institute (EMSC) identified the epicenter of the quake as being in Syria, approximately 20 kilometers east of the city of Hama. The earthquake's intensity was measured at 5.1, with a depth of 10 kilometers below the surface.

Residents from the north of Israel to the lowlands reported feeling the earthquake. Some in Be'er Sheva also took to social media to share their experiences. Despite widespread reports, Magen David Adom (MDA) stated that they received no injuries or significant damage reports. "There are a few calls from citizens to MDA's 101 lines about incidents of anxiety only," said MDA spokesperson Zachi Heller.

Felt in Neighboring Countries

The earthquake was also felt in neighboring countries, including Lebanon and Turkey. In Beirut, a roof collapse was reported, though no casualties were confirmed. Lebanese media reported that many residents took to the streets in the Akhar area out of concern. In Syria, while no casualties have been reported, there were reports of houses being destroyed in the Hama area, and residents of Damascus also took to the streets in response to the tremor.

Local Reactions 

A resident of Kiryat Motzkin described the unsettling experience: "Just before going to bed, I thought I was imagining things, but the whole bed was shaking. It was scary just before there might be a world war here," she remarked, alluding to the current regional tensions.

Kiryat Motzkin's Mayor, Tsiki Avisher, addressed the incident on social media, writing: "If you felt a slight earthquake in Kiryat Motzkin, you are not alone." Avisher further told Ynet, "During a discussion in the chamber in the city hall building, suddenly the table, the furniture, and the chair moved slightly. We immediately understood that it was an earthquake."