Lebanon prepares UN complaint over explosions in the country’s south — Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanon’s Cabinet has instructed Environment Minister Tamara El-Zein to prepare a detailed report on the consequences of large-scale explosions in the country’s south. The document will be handed over to Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry for further submission to the UN Security Council and other international bodies, Asharq Al-Awsat reports.
Operation in Khalta
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, Israeli military personnel entered the border village of Khalta in southern Lebanon in the morning, conducted searches, and later withdrew to its outskirts. There were also reports of the possible abduction of local resident Fadi Abdel Aal.
Military personnel searched several homes and carried out clearing operations using machine guns, while bulldozers razed olive groves. According to the agency, several houses were blown up in the village, other homes were damaged, and solar panels on the ground and rooftops were smashed. Three mortar shells were fired at Khalta, one of which landed near residential buildings.
Powerful explosions heard in several villages in the Arkoub district were linked to detonations carried out by Israeli forces in Khalta. The village is located in the Hasbaya district near Kfar Shuba, the Kfar Shuba Hills, and the Shebaa Farms. Israel says its operations in southern Lebanon are aimed at preventing the Hezbollah group from restoring its capabilities near the border.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Warning of seismic consequences
Environment Minister Tamara El-Zein said that a series of large-scale explosions could create risks not only because of direct destruction but also due to possible geological changes and ground shifts. According to her, the demolition of the Ali al-Taher ridge about two weeks ago using around 1,100 tonnes of explosives generated seismic waves comparable to an earthquake of magnitude 4.2.
El-Zein noted that the explosion site is located about one kilometer from the Rhum Fault and seven kilometers from the Yammouneh Fault. She stressed that under certain geological conditions, large underground explosions near existing faults may cause them to move or reactivate, increasing seismic risks.
According to the minister, an explosion in Majdal Zoun using about 80 tonnes of explosives generated waves comparable to magnitude 3.1. A detonation near Beaufort Castle involving about 700 tonnes of explosives generated waves comparable to magnitude 3.8, and vibrations from it were felt over a considerable distance.
