Israeli military leadership inspects Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon

On July 5, 2026, Israeli Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir visited troops deployed near the crusader-era Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army captured the site in late May 2026 and claims to have discovered a Hezbollah tunnel network underneath the structure, which previously served as a strategic observation point for Israel between 1982 and 2000. During the visit, Zamir stated that Israeli forces remain prepared to conduct offensive operations if the ceasefire, established on June 21, 2026, is violated. He also urged the Lebanese armed forces to fulfill their commitments under the June 26 framework agreement to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure. Tensions remain high as the military reported killing an armed individual in the Majdal Zoun sector, while Lebanese state media ANI reported Israeli helicopter strikes and artillery fire in the region. The ongoing conflict began on March 2, 2026, following the death of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei in late February.