Beneath the medieval Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, a sprawling and sophisticated tunnel network once served as a Hezbollah stronghold, facilitating drone launches and deadly strikes into Israel. Israeli forces recently gained control of the site, uncovering extensive underground facilities that include living quarters, a fully stocked kitchen, modern showers, and a private medical clinic.
The tunnel network, described as stretching over a kilometer with multiple shafts, took an estimated 15 years to construct. Soldiers displayed a significant stockpile of weaponry found within, including feared anti-personnel mines designed to cause extreme casualties, detonators, anti-aircraft machine guns, long-range anti-tank missiles, short-range missiles, and various firearms.
Captain B, an officer with the elite Yahalom engineering unit, stated that the tunnel network was "masterminded, designed and funded by Iran." While many weapons were reportedly manufactured in Lebanon, he noted significant Iranian influence in their design and production. He specifically identified some mines as being "only in Iran," though acknowledged Iran's practice of replicating Soviet designs.
Beaufort Castle, historically a strategic vantage point contested for centuries, has become a recent focal point in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The castle overlooks Israeli communities such as Metula and Misgav Am, which have been targets of Hezbollah rocket and missile fire since October 2023.
Israeli forces are working to dismantle Hezbollah's military infrastructure in the area, partly in anticipation of U.S.-mediated negotiations for border security. According to Israeli officials, the tunnel network found beneath the castle demonstrates Hezbollah's disregard for UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which was intended to keep Hezbollah fighters and weapons out of southern Lebanon following the 2006 war.
Hezbollah, which began attacking Israel the day after the October 7th Hamas attacks, has been a significant militia in the region. Recovered documents allegedly indicate that Hezbollah had developed plans for cross-border assaults into the Sea of Galilee area, mirroring Hamas's tactics of targeting civilians and Israeli bases. "Actual plans that showed they wanted to carry out the same kind of actions as October 7th," stated Captain Adi Stoler, referencing these documents.
Fighting to secure operational control of Beaufort Castle reportedly took over a month, resulting in the elimination of numerous Hezbollah fighters. However, Israeli commanders cautioned that some fighters might still be hiding within the remaining tunnel network. The conflict has had a devastating impact on southern Lebanon, displacing over a million residents and resulting in thousands of casualties, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Israel reports killing approximately 3,000 Hezbollah fighters.