Israel destroys Hezbollah tunnel in southern Lebanon

Israel announced on Friday that it had destroyed a tunnel belonging to the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in the Beaufort Castle region of southern Lebanon. The announcement came after an attack by the group, which Israel claims intended to use the tunnel to infiltrate its territory.

In a joint statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that approximately 700 tons of explosives were used to destroy the tunnel. The explosions were reportedly heard throughout southern Lebanon, though it remains unclear if the historic Beaufort Castle itself was damaged.

Israel characterized the destruction of the tunnel as a response to an "obvious violation of the ceasefire" by Hezbollah. The statement further warned that any attempt by Hezbollah to harm Israeli soldiers or citizens would provoke a "severe and decisive response."

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Hezbollah wanted to use the tunnel to infiltrate Israel.

According to Israeli data, Hezbollah fighters, supported by Iran, directed a drone with explosives into an Israeli army vehicle in southern Lebanon for the first time in over a month on Wednesday. This incident occurred shortly before the new ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect in June. Previously, such attacks by Hezbollah fighters had resulted in Israeli soldier casualties.

Israel accuses Hezbollah of planning to infiltrate Israel to kill and abduct people, drawing parallels to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Hamas held Israeli hostages in its tunnels after the deadly attack. Israeli forces have been destroying Hezbollah tunnels in Lebanon for several years, including some that extended into Israeli territory. In late May, the Israeli military captured the 12th-century Beaufort Castle, which overlooks Lebanese territory, a loss described by Israeli observers as a painful blow to Hezbollah.

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Any attempt by Hezbollah to do anything to Israeli soldiers or citizens will cause a severe and decisive response.