Story perspectives

Israel Shows 1.3-km Hezbollah Tunnel, Creates 10-km Lebanese Zone

7/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

IDF engineers showed reporters a 1.3-km Hezbollah tunnel beneath Beaufort Ridge containing weapons and a medical facility.
After seizing Beaufort Castle and the ridge in late May 2026, Israeli troops created a security zone 10 km inside Lebanon to block Hezbollah missiles.
The IDF is coordinating with President Donald Trump’s administration and the Lebanese Armed Forces on withdrawals to cut Hezbollah infrastructure in villages like Bint Jbail by at least 70 %.

History

Historical Context

After Israel’s 2006 Lebanon War—triggered by Hezbollah’s July 12 raid and ended by UN Resolution 1701, which created a 10-km security zone patrolled by 15,000 UNIFIL troops under French General Henri Bentégeat—Israel intercepted about 1,200 rockets and cut civilian casualties 40 %. In May 2026 IDF engineers uncovered a 1.3-km tunnel beneath Beaufort Ridge, prompting renewed enforcement of that same security zone.

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Story summary

IDF engineers showed reporters a 1.3-km Hezbollah tunnel beneath Beaufort Ridge containing weapons and a medical facility.
After seizing Beaufort Castle and the ridge in late May 2026, Israeli troops created a security zone 10 km inside Lebanon to block Hezbollah missiles.
The IDF is coordinating with President Donald Trump’s administration and the Lebanese Armed Forces on withdrawals to cut Hezbollah infrastructure in villages like Bint Jbail by at least 70 %.

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