Israeli Troops Blow Up Buildings Near Historic Beaufort Castle in Lebanon

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1216 EAT on Friday 31 July 2026

Israeli forces have carried out a series of powerful explosions near Lebanon’s UNESCO-listed Beaufort Castle as they continue to maintain a military presence in southern Lebanon despite a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement.

In a joint statement issued on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had destroyed a tunnel network in the Beaufort area. They claimed the tunnels were a key component of Hezbollah’s plan to infiltrate Israeli communities in the Galilee region.

Israeli officials said the operation involved approximately 700 tonnes of explosives, describing it as part of an ongoing campaign to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that Israeli forces carried out a series of powerful explosions around midnight near the Beaufort Castle.

An NNA correspondent said the blasts shattered windows in several homes in the nearby town of Qlayaa, with shockwaves felt across the surrounding area.

The Crusader-era Beaufort Castle, located in southern Lebanon, was added to UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger last week.

Earlier, the NNA reported that Israeli forces demolished several caves and houses near the towns of al-Mansouri and Majdal Zoun in the Tyre district using heavy shelling.

The agency also reported that Israeli forces carried out large explosions around midnight in the areas of Yohmor al-Shaqif, Arnoun and Kfar Tebnit, with the blasts reportedly heard across much of southern Lebanon.

At a joint news conference, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the country’s priority was securing a full Israeli withdrawal from its territory.

“This is what we are determined to achieve: an Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territory, the return of our displaced people to their villages, and their simultaneous return to their state and homeland,” Aoun said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Türkiye was prepared to support efforts aimed at preserving stability in the region.

“We wish to join any force that guarantees the stability and security of the region, including any alternative force in Lebanon,” Erdoğan said.

He added that Türkiye’s support for the Lebanese Armed Forces would “continue uninterrupted” and pledged assistance in the reconstruction of southern Lebanon.

In an interview with Türkiye Today, Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt criticised the recent agreement between Lebanon and Israel, arguing that it does not require a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. Instead, he said, the agreement only provides for a “redeployment” of troops, which he described as “a major trap”.

Israeli forces have advanced more than 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) into southern Lebanon during their latest operations. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed 4,333 people and injured 12,236 others.

-Aljazeera

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