4.1 magnitude tremor recorded after Israel destroys Hezbollah tunnel network in southern Lebanon

Israel has destroyed a network of Hezbollah tunnels in southern Lebanon - triggering a 4.1 magnitude tremor in the area.

The tremor was recorded by the US Geological Survey - after Lebanon's state-run news agency NNA reported the Israeli military had carried out a powerful blast at the Ali al-Taher ridge on Thursday.

Tremors and the sound of the explosion were felt across Nabatieh and its surrounding areas, according to the NNA.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defence minister, Israel Katz, confirmed the attack, saying the operation completed ‌the consolidation of a security zone in the area.

"This was strategic terror infrastructure built over two decades, with Iranian funding and planning," they said in a joint statement, adding forces had established "operational control" over the ridge, above and below ground, before dismantling the infrastructure.

"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.

"The State of Israel will continue to defend the northern communities from within Lebanon - and any attempt to harm our citizens and our forces will be met with force."

The network extended for more than a mile (2km) and contained dozens of rockets, missiles and drones, as well as anti-tank missiles, mines and explosive devices, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said.

The complex included command centres, weapons storage rooms and living quarters ​that allowed fighters to remain underground for long periods, it said.

"All of the terrorists who were inside the infrastructure were eliminated or fled," it added.

Read more from Sky News:
Remembering 9/11: Timeline of day America came under attack
Several Killed and injured in Swiss Alps coach crash

Israel occupies a large swathe of southern Lebanon that it seized during a ground invasion after Hezbollah militants began firing rockets across the border into Israel in support of Iran in March.

Despite a US-brokered framework agreed after a June ceasefire - following talks between Lebanon and Israel - that calls for Israeli forces to withdraw from occupied areas in exchange for Hezbollah's disarmament, its implementation has largely stalled.

Hezbollah has refused to give up its weapons, with Israel continuing airstrikes as it accuses the group of attacking its forces.

(c) Sky News 2026: 4.1 magnitude tremor recorded after Israel destroys Hezbollah tunnel network in southern Leban