By Stan Goodenough
Feb 17, 2008
An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale originated in southern Lebanon shortly after midday Friday as tens of thousands of Lebanese were marching through the streets of Lebanon calling for Israel's destruction.
The quake was felt throughout Israel, rocking buildings along the coastal plain, but causing no damage or injury.
According to one report, a hole six foot wide opened on the Temple Mount as a result of the seismic event. Muslim officials, who have been excavating all over the mount without supervision or authority to do so, were quick to accuse Israel of tunneling under the hill.
Friday's temblor was the latest in a series of quakes that have struck the region since last November.
While Israel is expected to suffer a major earthquake sometime soon, according to experts, lawmakers have frequently decried the lack of readiness for such an event amid dark predictions that a major disaster is waiting to happen.