Arabic version: القوات الإسرائيلية تفجّر منشآت قرب قلعة الشقيف

According to Al Jazeera, Israeli forces carried out powerful detonations near Lebanon’s UNESCO-listed Beaufort Castle while continuing to occupy areas of southern Lebanon despite a United States-brokered “ceasefire” agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the army destroyed a tunnel system in the Beaufort area. They claimed it was a key part of Hezbollah’s plan to infiltrate communities in the Galilee. Their statement said about “700 tons of explosives” were used as part of an ongoing campaign to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s official National News Agency said Israeli forces triggered very powerful explosions around midnight near the Beaufort fortress. An NNA correspondent reported that the blasts shattered windows in several homes in Qlayaa, while shockwaves were felt across the area. The Crusader-era castle, in an area occupied by Israel, was added to UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger last week.

NNA also reported demolitions of caves and houses near al-Mansouri and Majdal Zoun in the Tyre district, using several shells. It said large explosions were also carried out at midnight in Yohmor al-Shaqif, Arnoun and Kfar Tebnit, with the sounds reportedly heard throughout southern regions. The developments followed a US-sponsored framework agreement signed by Israel and Lebanon in Washington on June 26.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, speaking during a visit to Ankara on Thursday, said Lebanon sought an Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territory and the return of displaced people to their villages. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said support for the Lebanese Armed Forces would continue and that Turkiye was ready to help reconstruct southern Lebanon. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Israeli attacks since March 2 had killed 4,333 people and injured 12,236 others.