An earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale was felt in Eilat, Beersheva, Dimona and portions of the Negev on Shabbos afternoon. The epicenter was in the Suez Canal area about 200km (120 miles) away. There are no reports of injuries or damage in the southern Israeli cities.

According to seismologists, the quake began at 14:49 on Shabbos afternoon, Israel time. Officials report the last earthquake felt in Eilat was last December. In that case, the epicenter was 40km (24 miles) from the southern resort city.

The largest earthquake recorded in Eilat was back in 1996, registering 6.0, resulting in damage to private homes, commercial structures and hotels.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)