Israeli forces destroy structures near Lebanon's Beaufort Castle

Israel’s military announced that it had destroyed a network of Hezbollah tunnels in southern Lebanon, citing a series of underground explosions that the army claims were the result of its operations. The strikes were reported to have taken place near the border region that houses the UNESCO‑listed fortress of the ancient city of Sidon, a site of significant cultural heritage. Israeli officials said the tunnels were part of Hezbollah’s long‑term strategy to fortify its positions and that the operation was aimed at preventing future attacks on Israeli territory.

The claim comes amid a broader pattern of sporadic clashes along the Israel‑Lebanon frontier, where Hezbollah has repeatedly built and upgraded subterranean facilities. Lebanese authorities have not confirmed the Israeli report, and independent observers have been unable to verify the extent of the damage. The proximity of the alleged blast to a protected heritage site has raised concerns among international cultural‑preservation groups, who warn that any further conflict could threaten the integrity of the fortress and the surrounding archaeological landscape.

As both sides continue to exchange accusations, the incident underscores the fragile security situation in the region and the potential for escalation. While Israel maintains that its actions were defensive, Hezbollah has not yet issued a statement regarding the destruction of its tunnels, leaving the full impact of the operation uncertain.