Home Front Command announces nationwide earthquake preparedness initiative, with major emergency drill planned for 2027.
By Shula Rosen
A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck the Gulf of Eilat on Wednesday, prompting evacuations in Eilat and the Arava region of southern Israel and temporarily halting operations at Ramon Airport as authorities conducted safety inspections.
Emergency alerts were issued in Eilat, Be’er Ora, Elifaz, the Timna Mines and the Shkhoret Industrial Zone, instructing residents to leave buildings and move to open areas. The warnings were delivered directly to residents’ mobile phones.
No injuries were reported to emergency services following the earthquake, which was felt in several parts of Israel.
According to the Geological Survey of Israel, the earthquake originated near Taba in southern Sinai, approximately 224 kilometers from Israel. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure confirmed that the tremor occurred at 11:24 a.m.
Preliminary measurements indicated a magnitude of 4.4 and a depth of 8 kilometers. The ministry later raised the reported magnitude to 4.5, citing revised findings from the Geological Survey of Israel.
At Ramon Airport, authorities ordered an evacuation and suspended operations while inspections were carried out. The Israel Airports Authority subsequently announced that the airport had returned to full operations after safety checks and an examination of its infrastructure were completed.
Broken glass was discovered at the airport, according to N12 News. No additional damage was reported.
Separately, the Home Front Command announced a nationwide earthquake preparedness initiative following Wednesday’s tremor and other earthquakes recorded in recent years.
The program is intended to improve the country’s readiness for a major earthquake, with particular emphasis on emergency training and coordinated exercises.
The Home Front Command has designated 2027 the “Year of Earthquake Preparedness” and plans to conduct training sessions and drills throughout the year.
Those activities will conclude with a major national exercise designed to strengthen the home front’s ability to respond to a large-scale earthquake.
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