5.5 magnitude earthquake hits Jordan-Syria border, shaking Israel

Late Monday night, a 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck central Syria, with tremors felt across northern Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan.

The quake hit 28 kilometers (17 miles) east of Hama at 11:56 p.m. local time. While the US Geological Survey recorded the magnitude at 5.0 and the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) listed it as 4.8, Jordan's state news agency reported a 3.9 magnitude aftershock occurring less than an hour later.

The Syrian city of Hama experienced significant panic, leading to at least 25 people sustaining minor to moderate injuries due to stampeding.

The incident evoked painful memories of the devastating 2023 earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.8 and resulted in over 50,000 deaths, primarily in Turkey but also affecting northern Syria, leaving extensive destruction in its wake.

* The Times of Israel contributed to this report.