IDF Says It Is Clearing Beaufort Tunnel Network and Finds Maps of Northern Invasion

The IDF said Saturday evening that Division 36 is continuing to clear an underground tunnel network beneath the Beaufort ridge in southern Lebanon, a system it said was financed by Iran. Military officials said maps were found inside the tunnels showing the threat they pose to northern Israeli communities, and indicating plans by a terror group to seize northern Israel.

According to the army, the information was found in one of the subterranean routes where militants who tried to flee were located and later killed in an airstrike several days ago. The operation was launched to give the IDF operational control over a zone it says threatens Israeli civilians and to enable the destruction of the tunnel network.

The army also said that two days earlier, Battle Team 7 and the Egoz unit, under Division 36, completed an operation to secure and clear the area of northern Nahr al-Saluki. The IDF said Hezbollah uses the Saluki area as infrastructure for explosive drones and high trajectory fire against its forces, and that during the operation, coordinated with the air force, hundreds of terror sites were destroyed, more than 50 militants were killed, and weapons including explosives, anti-tank missiles and launchers were found.

Division 36, commanded by Brig. Gen. Yiftach Norkin, was the first to enter the Taybeh area in southern Lebanon at the start of the campaign against Iran as part of Operation "Lion's Roar," in order to prevent Radwan Force fighters from infiltrating toward Kibbutz Misgav Am in the Finger of the Galilee. The IDF also released footage two days ago showing Hezbollah militants fleeing underground tunnels and being struck from the air during operations by the Commando Brigade and Yahalom unit under Division 36.

The report came amid concern over a memorandum of understanding expected to be signed between the United States and Iran that could include Lebanon. Iran is seeking to include an end to all regional fighting, including in Lebanon, while Israel says it will not accept any limits on IDF freedom of action. Officials fear Washington could later pressure Israel to hold back against Hezbollah so as not to endanger the deal with Tehran. Separately, the IDF said earlier Saturday that troops from Brigade 551 killed seven Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon during operations to destroy terror infrastructure and eliminate fighters. The army said the militants were found this week in two cells operating from a subterranean route used to store ammunition, mortars and food supplies for attacks on IDF forces, and that weapons, military gear, firing positions and other arms were destroyed nearby.