Israel carries out demolitions near Unesco site in Lebanon

The Israeli military destroyed several “key features” of an alleged “underground tunnel network” beneath the ridge that is home to the historic castle, a Unesco World Heritage Site, according to a statement on X.

Israel seized the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle in May. 

The medieval castle, known in Arabic as Qalaat al-Shaqif, is a strategic vantage point overlooking large parts of southern Lebanon and northern Israel. It is located about 5km from the major southern city of Nabatieh.

Israeli troops previously captured the castle in 1982 and held it until they withdrew from Lebanon in 2000.