The Israel Defence Force (IDF) alerted that sirens, usually triggered in the event of a rocket attack, have been sounded in the southern Israeli district of Abu Qrenat near the Dimona nuclear reactor. Residents from across the country, including central Israel and Jerusalem, reported hearing “loud explosions” that “shook the houses”, according to the Jerusalem Post. A Reuters reporter about 90 km (56 miles) away from the site also heard the sound of an explosion minutes before the IDF alerted residents via text message. Israel’s Army Radio said that, if such an attack had taken place early on Thursday, its origin was not immediately clear.

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