Key Points:
- 4.2 magnitude earthquake hit Negev desert near Dimona nuclear facility at 9:00 AM
- Tremors felt up to 100 kilometers away across central and northern Israel
- Quake coincided with nationwide school emergency drill, fueling speculation
- No injuries or damage reported, depth measured at 10 kilometers
- Social media users questioned if event was warning to Trump about Dimona
- Iran protests death toll ranges from 2,571 confirmed to estimates of 12,000+
- Iran issued direct threat to Trump, referencing his 2024 assassination attempt
A 4.2 magnitude earthquake struck Israel’s Negev desert on Thursday at 9:00 AM, as residents were going about their daily routines. The tremors were felt up to 100 kilometers away, reaching central and northern Israel and areas north of Jerusalem. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre reported that the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers beneath the surface.
The intensity and duration of the earthquake are being compared to a low-to-medium intensity nuclear test, leading experts to speculate whether it could indicate covert nuclear activity. A resident of Beit Shemesh told Israeli outlet Ynet that he “felt it for maybe two seconds, but it was unmistakable”. The quake’s epicenter was located near Dimona, home to Israel’s most secretive nuclear research center, the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center.
Earthquake Near Nuclear Facility
The earthquake occurred in proximity to Israel’s Dimona nuclear facility, immediately raising security concerns. American mixed martial artist Jake Shields questioned on social media whether the event could be a warning to Trump regarding Dimona. Social media speculation intensified due to the unusual timing; the quake coincided with a previously scheduled nationwide school emergency drill.
“Major and very short (1.5 seconds) earthquake in the immediate vicinity of Dimona (where Israel develops a very explosive kind of candy). More unusually, an earthquake drill was scheduled a few days ago for the precise moment of the actual earthquake,” wrote Alon Mizrahi on X. Satellite imagery has shown construction activity at the Dimona site, though Israel maintains strict secrecy around its nuclear program.
Regional Tensions and Iranian Threats
This incident comes at a time of heightened regional tensions, with US President Donald Trump repeatedly threatening Iran with attacks. The situation in Iran has deteriorated significantly since protests began in late December, escalating rapidly from January 8th to become the largest demonstrations since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
The death toll from Iran’s protests has reached alarming levels. According to the US-based HRANA rights group, at least 2,571 people have been killed during the crackdown. Other estimates suggest the number could be significantly higher, with some reports putting the figure as high as 12,000. The Iran Human Rights Organization (IHRNGO) has confirmed at least 3,428 protesters killed in 15 provinces since the start of the protests.
Iran has accused the US and Israel of instigating the unrest, further escalating regional tensions. In a chilling development, Iran issued a direct threat against President Trump on state television on Wednesday, referencing his 2024 assassination attempt in Pennsylvania with the message, “This time it [bullet] will not miss the target”.
International Monitoring
Experts say the timing and location of the earthquake are considered politically and security-sensitive, and the situation is being closely watched internationally. While mild to moderate seismic activity is common in the region, the proximity to Israel’s nuclear facility and the concurrent regional crisis have created an atmosphere of heightened alert. Israeli authorities have not reported any injuries or damage from the earthquake, but the event has nonetheless contributed to the tense geopolitical climate.
