Earthquake Rocks Southern Israel

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – A 4.2 magnitude earthquake rocked southern Israel early Thursday, including the Dead Sea and parts of the Negev area, and residents were urged to rush to safety, experts and officials said.

“Immediately go out into the open,” said the Home Front Command, a branch of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) dealing with emergencies. “If not possible, enter [a] protected room or stairwell.”

There were no immediate reports of casualties. Israel’s national emergency medical service, Magen David Adom, said that following the quake, its hotline had not yet received any calls regarding injuries as a result of the incident.

Gospel singer Baht Rivka Whitten, who knows the area well, urged prayers. “I think there was just an earthquake in the Negev area. Residents all around Israel report feeling it. So much happening in the world right now. I know it’s late, but if you’re seeing this, say a prayer for the Middle East.”

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre said the earthquake, which occurred at 9:00 am local time, was a 4.2 on the Richter magnitude scale. The Geological Survey of Israel also reported the same magnitude quake.

TREMOR FELT IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS

Residents in multiple locations reported “feeling the tremor,” with some saying it was felt as far south as Eilat.

Yet MDA said no injuries or damage had been reported following the quake. “Following alerts about an earthquake in various areas across the country, so far no calls about casualties have been received at the MDA emergency hotline 101,” MDA added.

There were also no immediate reports of significant damage.

The Home Front Command had sounded sirens after the earthquake shook the Dead Sea and the southern Negev.

It was the latest emergency for the Jewish nation, which is still recovering from the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, massacre by Hamas of some 1,200 people and related hostage takings, which sparked the Gaza war, as well as rocket attacks and other acts of terror.

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