Israeli forces struck Hezbollah’s terror hub on Beaufort Ridge, blasting underground infrastructure in defiance of ceasefire terms, as Defense Minister Katz warns Lebanon’s leadership of full accountability.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) unleashed a powerful strike on Friday evening against a Hezbollah military compound and underground terror infrastructure hidden in Beaufort Ridge, southern Lebanon. Surveillance confirmed active militant operations inside the facility.
“This site and the activities within it are a clear violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit declared, vowing that Israel “will continue to act decisively to eliminate threats against the State of Israel.”
Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the strikes, stressing Israel’s uncompromising stance:
“The IDF is currently dismantling Hezbollah’s terror infrastructure in southern Lebanon. We will not allow threats to Israeli citizens or to the residents of the north. Our policy remains maximum enforcement.”
Katz issued a direct warning to Lebanese President Michel Aoun and his government:
“We hold you fully responsible for safeguarding Lebanon’s sovereignty and upholding the ceasefire. We will not return to the nightmare of October 7. Any violation will be met with decisive Israeli action.”
The escalation comes just hours after Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem delivered a fiery speech, vowing the terror group “will never hand over its weapons as long as occupation and aggression persist.” He accused Beirut of “abandoning its duty to defend Lebanon,” and threatened that “either Lebanon stands united with Hezbollah, or there will be no Lebanon at all.”
His remarks directly challenge Lebanon’s cabinet decision last week, which—under mounting U.S. pressure—ordered the Lebanese army to draft a plan to disarm Hezbollah by the end of 2025. The move was part of the November ceasefire framework aimed at halting over a year of hostilities, including two months of fierce combat with Israel.
With Hezbollah openly defying disarmament and Israel stepping up strikes, the fragile ceasefire now hangs by a thread.
