The Lead
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced early Friday that the IDF has destroyed a major Hezbollah terror tunnel network in the Beaufort area of southern Lebanon. The operation utilized approximately 700 tons of explosives to neutralize underground infrastructure that Israeli officials described as a central component of Hezbollah's planned invasion of Galilee communities.
Strategic Demolition
In a joint statement released at 00:06 Jerusalem time, the Prime Minister and Defense Minister confirmed the destruction of the Beaufort-area tunnels. The use of 700 tons of explosives marks a significant escalation in the systematic dismantling of Hezbollah's subterranean assets. According to the statement, this specific infrastructure was designed to facilitate a large-scale ground assault into northern Israel, housing weaponry and providing cover for terror operatives near the border.
Response to Ceasefire Violations
The operation follows what Israel characterized as a "blatant violation" of the ceasefire by Hezbollah on Thursday. The Israeli leadership emphasized that the state will not tolerate any attempts to harm IDF forces or Israeli civilians. "Any attempt by Hezbollah to strike will be met with a harsh, powerful response that will exact a heavy price from the terror organization," the joint statement read.
Security Zone Operations
As The Zioneer reported in late June, the IDF has been systematically targeting the Beaufort Ridge and Ali Taher ridge, identifying them as central command hubs for Hezbollah. The military maintains that its forces will remain in the southern Lebanon security zone to prevent the terror group from rehabilitating its capabilities. The current demolition is part of a broader effort to ensure that the infrastructure for a "conquest of the Galilee" is fully neutralized before any long-term security arrangements are finalized.
11 developments
- The Zioneer Intelligence Desk
- Trump thanks mediators as Gaza Peace Council reaches historic disarmament agreement
- IDF confirms destruction of Hezbollah tunnel network at Beaufort in response to ceasefire violation
- The Zioneer publishes analysis on Iran's shadow fleet moving 600 million barrels of oil
- Iranian parliament speaker Qalibaf threatens US will pay for harming Iranian civilians
