Israel's military has destroyed a large underground complex operated by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, claiming the explosion was equivalent to a magnitude 4.1 earthquake. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it used more than 1,000 tonnes of explosives to obliterate two tunnels located more than a mile beneath the Ali Taher Ridge.
Seismic activity and images
The US Geological Survey said in a statement that the blast was so strong it triggered seismic activity. Images released by the IDF claimed to show a fireball lighting up the sky, with damage done by the blast more than a mile deep. Tremors and the sound of the explosion were felt across Nabatieh and its surrounding areas.
Officials said the complex, operated by the Iran-backed Shiite militia, contained Hezbollah's command centres, missile and drone storage rooms, and living areas for soldiers.
Troops remain in place
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said troops remained in place to stop the organisation from restoring its capabilities. In a joint statement, they said: "This was strategic terror infrastructure built over two decades, with Iranian funding and planning."
They added that forces had established "operational control" over the ridge. "The IDF will remain in the security zone and will continue destroying terror infrastructure and thwarting any attempt by the Hezbollah terrorist organisation to re-establish itself and restore its capabilities," they said.
UK announces import ban
This week, the UK Government accused its Israeli counterparts of turning a blind eye to "ethnic cleansing of Palestinians" in the West Bank. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced an import ban on goods from illegal settlements, including produce like dates, mangoes, avocados, grapes and herbs, as well as olive oil and kosher wine.
The on-going occupation of the West Bank was described as "unlawful", with Britain's move "the least the people who face such suffering deserve". Mr Burnham said at PMQs that "Britain has to stand for fairness against injustice" and announced that those who help build or finance settlements will also face sanctions.
The action triggered an immediate backlash from the US and Israel.
