By Pesach Benson • June 13, 2026
Jerusalem, 13 June, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Israel Defense Forces said Saturday night that troops are continuing operations to clear a large Hezbollah underground tunnel network in southern Lebanon’s Beaufort Ridge and around Beaufort Castle, a Crusader-era fortress.
The IDF said the system was built with direct Iranian assistance and is being fully examined before being destroyed. During searches of one tunnel route, where Hezbollah operatives attempted to escape several days earlier, Israeli forces discovered maps on the walls showing what the army described as Hezbollah’s planned Control of areas near northern Israeli communities.
Hezbollah used the elevated area to launch rockets at Israel’s Galilee Panhandle and the city of Metula.
The Beaufort Ridge holds symbolic and strategic significance for Israel. The IDF first captured the mountaintop position during the 1982 First Lebanon War and maintained an outpost there until Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000.
Beaufort Castle was originally built by the Crusaders in the 12th century. Perched on a strategic ridge overlooking the Litani River valley, the castle became a key stronghold during the Crusader period and was captured by Saladin in 1190 before later changing hands again.
Its commanding position gave it military significance during the 1982 Lebanon War. Today, Beaufort Castle is on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Tentative List for potential future World Heritage status.
