IDF to warn earthquake monitor in advance of major pre-planned explosions to avoid setting off alerts

The Israel Geological Survey and the Energy Ministry reveal that the TRUAA system, connected to the Home Front Command in 2022 to give early earthquake warnings to the public, was activated for the first time by the IDF exploding a Hezbollah tunnel, and will work to avoid such scenarios in the future.

The army used 370 tons of explosives to destroy the tunnel near Kafr Kila in southern Lebanon on October 26, 2024.

TRUAA picked it up, kicking off sirens and warnings on online applications, and causing confusion and panic among the public, the Energy Ministry says.

The system operated as it should have, according to a Geological Survey investigation.

But to prevent false alarms in future, the Survey and the IDF Home Front Command have formulated special procedures for preemptive explosions. The new protocol includes the IDF reporting to the Survey in advance about planned activities to destroy tunnels.

“The event illustrated the special challenges of the State of Israel, in a security environment where unusual premeditated explosions occur from time to time, such as those the IDF is currently carrying out in various sectors,” says Dr. Ittai Kurzon, director of the Seismology Division at the Geological Survey.

“This uniqueness also requires preparation for unusual operational scenarios. We learned and drew lessons from the event and have already been able to apply them in similar events, so that false alarms were not spread.”