Israeli forces carried out a series of powerful explosions near the Beaufort Castle, a UNESCO-listed heritage site in Lebanon, while maintaining a military presence in the country's south despite a US-mediated ceasefire deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that troops had destroyed a tunnel system around the Beaufort area, which they described as a key part of Hezbollah's plan to infiltrate civilian communities in the Galilee region. They said about "700 tons of explosives" were used in the operation.
Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported: "Israeli forces triggered very strong explosions around midnight" near the Beaufort fortress. An NNA correspondent said the blasts shattered glass in homes in the town of Qlayaa due to the force of the shockwaves, with residents across the region feeling the tremors.
The Crusader-era castle, located in Israel's occupied zone in southern Lebanon, was added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage in Danger just last week.
Earlier, NNA also reported that Israeli troops demolished several caves and homes near al-Mansouri and Majdal Zoun in the Tyre district with multiple artillery strikes. NNA added that Israeli forces caused very large explosions at midnight in the Yohmor al-Shaqif, Arnoun, and Kfar Tebnit areas, with the blasts heard far across southern regions.
The developments come despite Israel and Lebanon signing a US-backed framework agreement in Washington on June 26.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun traveled to Ankara for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. At a joint press conference, Aoun said: "What we are firmly determined to achieve is Israel's withdrawal from all Lebanese territory, the return of refugees to their villages, and allowing them to enjoy the sweet fruits of their state and homeland."
Erdogan said Turkey was ready to join any force aimed at ensuring stability and security in the region, pledging to "continue to support the Lebanese Armed Forces without pause" and expressing readiness to help rebuild southern Lebanon.
Speaking to Turkiye Today, Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt criticized the recent agreement between Lebanon and Israel, arguing it does not provide for Israel's full withdrawal from southern Lebanon but only mentions "redeployment," which he called a "big trap."
Israel has advanced more than 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory during its latest military operations. According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, since March 2, Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed 4,333 people and wounded 12,236.
