Aoun Calls Israeli Blasts Near Beaufort Castle Direct Threat to Recent Deal

What happened

Naharnet reports that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned powerful Israeli detonations near the Beaufort fortress, a historic Crusader castle recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in danger. Israeli officials said they destroyed Hezbollah tunnels under the site with roughly 700 tons of explosives, claiming the network served as a Hezbollah command center and was built over two decades.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. Aoun described the blasts as "an extremely dangerous escalation" and a "direct threat to the process" established in a recent US-sponsored framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel. This deal includes Lebanese army plans to disarm Hezbollah and Israeli withdrawal from designated pilot zones, with Lebanese forces taking over the area.

The timing of the explosions, ahead of upcoming talks in Rome, raised concerns from Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who criticized the attacks for damaging archaeological sites and undermining stability efforts. The National News Agency reported widespread damage from the detonations, including shattered glass in villages and seismic waves equivalent to a 3.8 magnitude quake.

Known from the source

• Lebanese President Joseph Aoun warned Israeli explosions near Beaufort fortress threaten a recent agreement with Israel.
• Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz said about 700 tons of explosives were used to destroy Hezbollah tunnels beneath the Beaufort area.
• The Beaufort fortress is a UNESCO-listed site recently added to the List of World Heritage in Danger.
• The blasts produced effects comparable to a 3.8 magnitude earthquake and caused damage such as shattered glass in nearby villages.
• Under the US-brokered agreement, Lebanon’s army is to disarm Hezbollah and Israel is to withdraw from certain pilot zones.

What remains unclear

Israel accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire agreement through an explosive drone attack, while Hezbollah's ally, Speaker Nabih Berri, condemned the Israeli blasts. Hezbollah urged Lebanese authorities to intensify political and diplomatic efforts to stop these “destructive crimes”. The group has not claimed recent attacks since a ceasefire initiated in June following a US-Iran memorandum.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Extent of structural or archaeological damage caused by the explosions near Beaufort castle, especially inside the fortress. Verification of Israel’s claim that the tunnel network was a central Hezbollah command center and details on its construction timeline. Independent confirmation of Hezbollah’s alleged drone attack violating the ceasefire.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Naharnet Lebanon. Open the source.