Earthquake in Lebanon

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck central Syria late Monday, with tremors felt in northern Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan. The quake, which occurred 28 kilometers east of Hama at 11:56 p.m. local time, resulted in at least 25 people sustaining minor to moderate injuries due to panic, but there were no immediate reports of significant damage or fatalities. This event triggered flashbacks to the devastating 2023 earthquake that killed over 50,000 people in Turkey and northern Syria, causing residents in Damascus and Beirut to flee their homes in fear. Various agencies reported differing magnitudes, with the US Geological Survey citing a 5.0 magnitude, while the German Research Center for Geosciences reported 4.8. The earthquake adds to the region's tensions, already heightened by ongoing conflicts and recent Israeli airstrikes affecting Lebanon and Syria. Overall, while the quake caused alarm, it did not lead to widespread destruction, according to local authorities.