Beaufort Castle on July 31, 2026, after Israeli forces carried out a series of explosions. (Credit: AFP)
The United Nations on Saturday expressed concern over Israel's ongoing demolitions in southern Lebanon despite a cease-fire in its war with Iran-backed Hezbollah.
"The scale of the detonations and demolitions taking place in south Lebanon is deeply concerning, with a devastating impact on civilian infrastructure, cultural heritage, and the collective memory of communities," the office of the U.N. special coordinator for Lebanon said in a statement.
The statement came a day after the Israeli military carried out large overnight detonations near a UNESCO-listed castle in Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said the military destroyed "tunnels in the Beaufort area" using about 700 tons of explosives.
Beaufort Castle was added last week to UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday called the detonation "an extremely dangerous escalation" and "a direct threat to the process which was launched as part of the framework agreement" reached with Israel during U.S.-brokered talks last month.
Under the Lebanon-Israel agreement, Lebanon's army is to disarm Hezbollah, while the Israeli military is to withdraw from "pilot zones" where Lebanese forces will subsequently deploy.
The timing of the blasts, ahead of another round of talks with Israel in Rome next week, "sends negative messages and undermines international efforts aimed at consolidating stability," Aoun added.
Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported several detonations in other parts of the South since then, some so powerful they were heard across the region.
It also reported at least one Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Saturday that wounded two people.
The U.N. said "this escalating pattern of destruction must stop as diplomatic channels exist to resolve any outstanding issues."
The Israeli military also said Saturday that it killed several Hezbollah fighters inside what it called a "security zone" in southern Lebanon.
An Israeli soldier was moderately injured and evacuated to a hospital for treatment, the military said earlier.
Speaking in southern Lebanon to mark Lebanese Army Day, army commander Rodolph Haykal said, "We reject the continued Israeli occupation of any part of our territory."
Israel's large-scale bombing campaign and a ground offensive on southern Lebanon have killed more than 4,300 people since March 2, according to Lebanese authorities.
Trump suspends US strikes against Iran