The Lead
The IDF has publicly revealed a large-scale Hezbollah underground tunnel network beneath the Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon — a complex of shafts, living quarters, weapons depots, and medical facilities that the Israeli military says was planned and fully funded by Iran, built over more than a decade, and positioned just six kilometers from the Israeli town of Metula.
The Scale of the Discovery
According to the IDF Spokesperson's statement reviewed by The Zioneer Intelligence Desk, troops from the Golani Brigade, the Maglan special forces unit, and the Yahalom combat engineering unit — operating under the 36th Division — are leading the effort to dismantle a massive subterranean hub. The IDF described the infrastructure in specific, operational terms: one tunnel alone stretches approximately one kilometer in length and contains six underground shafts. Inside, soldiers located a dedicated weapons storage room, an anti-tank missile launcher, grenades, and advanced medical equipment. The living infrastructure is equally detailed, featuring shower facilities, restrooms, an operating room, kitchens, and multiple sleeping quarters — everything needed to sustain hundreds of fighters for an extended period without surfacing.
Strategic Context
The Beaufort Ridge is a dominant high-ground location that provides a commanding view over the Galilee Panhandle, including the town of Metula. The IDF noted that this network was constructed within a civilian area to provide operational control over northern Israel. The military confirmed that UAVs and various missiles have been launched from this site toward Israeli territory and IDF forces. This discovery follows the IDF's recapture of the historic Beaufort Castle at the end of May 2026, marking a return to a strategic point from which Israel withdrew in 2000.
Analysis and Implications
The IDF explicitly attributes the planning and funding of the project to the Iranian regime, framing it as a central component of Hezbollah's offensive array. The military also noted that a request was previously submitted to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to address the site as part of agreement enforcement, but Hezbollah clearly prevented the LAF from doing so. The presence of sophisticated medical facilities and long-term living quarters suggests the site was not merely for hit-and-run attacks but served as a permanent underground base. As the IDF establishes operational control over the ridge, the focus shifts to the systematic destruction of the tunnels to ensure they cannot be reoccupied.
What to Watch Next
The exposure of this network highlights the depth of Iranian investment in southern Lebanon's terrain. Observers should watch for further IDF reveals of similar hubs as troops expand their control over strategic ridges. The inability of the Lebanese Armed Forces to act against these sites, as cited by the IDF, remains a central point of tension in diplomatic discussions regarding the future security arrangements on the border.
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