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Beaufort Ridge

Beaufort Ridge is a strategic high-ground area in southern Lebanon, historically significant for its commanding view of the Galilee and the Litani River. In mid-2026, the IDF exposed and subsequently destroyed a massive, Iranian-funded Hezbollah tunnel network beneath the ridge, which served as a primary staging ground and command node for the Badr Unit.

The Zioneer Intelligence Desk

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Beaufort Ridge is one of the most tactically significant terrain features in southern Lebanon. Located approximately six kilometers from the Israeli border town of Metula, the ridge overlooks the Hula Valley and the Galilee Panhandle. Historically anchored by the Crusader-era Beaufort Castle (Qala'at ash-Shaqif), the ridge has served as a critical military stronghold for various forces over decades, including the PLO and later the IDF during its presence in the South Lebanon Security Belt. Since the IDF withdrawal in 2000, Hezbollah systematically transformed the ridge into a fortified underground bastion.

In June 2026, the IDF revealed the existence of the 'Day of Judgment' network—a sophisticated subterranean complex built with Iranian planning and funding. Unlike tactical tunnels found elsewhere, this network was designed for long-term habitation and large-scale combat operations. The infrastructure included living quarters for hundreds of operatives, advanced medical facilities, and weapons storage. Strategically, the network featured integrated launch sites for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and anti-tank missiles, positioned to target northern Israeli communities. In July 2026, following ceasefire violations by Hezbollah, the IDF carried out a massive demolition operation using approximately 700 tons of explosives to neutralize the network. The resulting seismic event was measured at magnitude 3.8 by Lebanese authorities.

During a situational assessment on the ridge in July 2026, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir confirmed that Israeli forces maintain operational control over both the strategic high ground and the tunnel systems beneath it. The operation focused on dismantling the infrastructure of Hezbollah's Badr Unit, which had spent two decades carving command centers and firing positions deep into the mountain. While the surrounding terror infrastructure was destroyed, reports indicate the historic Beaufort fortress itself remained intact. The ridge remains a focal point of the northern front, representing the neutralization of a core pillar in Hezbollah’s offensive strategy against the Galilee.

04 · Related Coverage

Full Reports

IDF destroys major Hezbollah tunnel network extending from Beaufort Ridge to Nabatieh
The IDF destroyed a significant Hezbollah tunnel network on the strategic Ali Taher ridge in southern Lebanon overnight Friday, utilizing approximately 700 tons of explosives to neutralize infrastructure that extended from beneath the Beaufort Ridge toward the outskirts of Nabatieh.
IDF destroys major Hezbollah tunnel network under Beaufort Ridge, says it was Iran-funded command center
The IDF announced Friday morning the destruction of a massive underground tunnel network beneath the Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon, identifying the complex as a central command center for Hezbollah's Badr unit. The military stated that the network, which was built over two decades with direct Iranian funding and planning, was neutralized using approximately 700 tons of explosives. The operation follows weeks of IDF operational control over the site and was carried out in response to a Hezbollah ceasefire violation on Thursday.
IDF Chief Details Hezbollah's Decades-Long Underground Network at Beaufort; Says Forces Control Surface and Tunnels
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir conducted a situational assessment at the Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon on Sunday, revealing the extent of a massive Hezbollah underground network built over decades with Iranian funding. Zamir stated that Israeli forces now maintain operational control over both the strategic high ground and the tunnel systems beneath it, describing Hezbollah as an "exhausted and defeated" force that has lost every direct encounter with the IDF.
Long-buried footage reveals the 5.5-hour battle that opened the route to Beaufort, IDF reservist recounts
Amichai Stein (i24NEWS) exclusively published footage and testimony from the first tank crew to cross the Litani River, describing a 5.5-hour battle that unfolded after a soldier spotted a camouflage net on the riverbank. The reservist says the crew did not realize in real time that they were fighting the engagement that would clear the way to the Beaufort ridge. The battle, now made public months after the ground operation, is the first detailed account of the initial crossing.
IDF finds Hezbollah attack maps of northern Israel in Beaufort Ridge tunnel
Troops from the 36th Division operating inside a tunnel beneath the Beaufort Ridge discovered maps on the wall illustrating how the ridge enabled Hezbollah to target northern communities, the IDF said. The find comes two hours after the IDF confirmed earlier reports that a similar cache of attack maps was found in the same tunnel network. The maps were uncovered in a tunnel where terrorists were eliminated several days ago. The IDF said the operation aims to dismantle the underground terror tunnel network beneath the ridge.

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Beaufort Ridge

The Zioneer Intelligence Desk

Full Reports

IDF destroys major Hezbollah tunnel network extending from Beaufort Ridge to Nabatieh

The IDF destroyed a significant Hezbollah tunnel network on the strategic Ali Taher ridge in southern Lebanon overnight Friday, utilizing approximately 700 tons of explosives to neutralize infrastructure that extended from beneath the Beaufort Ridge toward the outskirts of Nabatieh.

IDF destroys major Hezbollah tunnel network under Beaufort Ridge, says it was Iran-funded command center

The IDF announced Friday morning the destruction of a massive underground tunnel network beneath the Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon, identifying the complex as a central command center for Hezbollah's Badr unit. The military stated that the network, which was built over two decades with direct Iranian funding and planning, was neutralized using approximately 700 tons of explosives. The operation follows weeks of IDF operational control over the site and was carried out in response to a Hezbollah ceasefire violation on Thursday.

IDF Chief Details Hezbollah's Decades-Long Underground Network at Beaufort; Says Forces Control Surface and Tunnels

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir conducted a situational assessment at the Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon on Sunday, revealing the extent of a massive Hezbollah underground network built over decades with Iranian funding. Zamir stated that Israeli forces now maintain operational control over both the strategic high ground and the tunnel systems beneath it, describing Hezbollah as an "exhausted and defeated" force that has lost every direct encounter with the IDF.

Long-buried footage reveals the 5.5-hour battle that opened the route to Beaufort, IDF reservist recounts

Amichai Stein (i24NEWS) exclusively published footage and testimony from the first tank crew to cross the Litani River, describing a 5.5-hour battle that unfolded after a soldier spotted a camouflage net on the riverbank. The reservist says the crew did not realize in real time that they were fighting the engagement that would clear the way to the Beaufort ridge. The battle, now made public months after the ground operation, is the first detailed account of the initial crossing.

IDF finds Hezbollah attack maps of northern Israel in Beaufort Ridge tunnel

Troops from the 36th Division operating inside a tunnel beneath the Beaufort Ridge discovered maps on the wall illustrating how the ridge enabled Hezbollah to target northern communities, the IDF said. The find comes two hours after the IDF confirmed earlier reports that a similar cache of attack maps was found in the same tunnel network. The maps were uncovered in a tunnel where terrorists were eliminated several days ago. The IDF said the operation aims to dismantle the underground terror tunnel network beneath the ridge.