Israel razes Hezbollah tunnels below Beaufort

allegations | 700 tonnes of explosives used after alleged ceasefire violation: IDF; Lebanon talks to continue next week

Jerusalem: The Israeli military has demolished a major Hezbollah tunnel network be­neath the Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon, saying the operation was carried out in response to an alleged violation of the ceasefire agreem­ent by the Iran-backed group.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) used 700 tonnes of explosives to destroy the underground facility. The demolition had been planned earlier but was postponed after a framework agreement reached in June.

Hezbollah targeted an unmanned bulldozer with an explosive drone on Wednesday, prompting Israel to proceed with the operation. The tunnel, which journalists visited earlier this month, was described by Israeli officials as a key part of Hezbollah’s planned operations against communities in the Galilee.

IDF said troops had secured Beaufort Ridge recently, cleared the underground infrastructure and prepared it for demolition. Most of the tunnel network has been destroyed.

Israel said its forces would remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon and continue dismantling militant infrastructure. Technical teams from Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to meet from Aug 4 to 6 to discuss implementation of the June framework pact to advance a future peace deal.

Cyberattacks hit 30 US water systems

The US is investigating cyberattacks targeting more than 30 water systems in Minnesota amid warnings that Iranian hackers are focusing on critical infrastructure. The FBI has not identified those responsible. Officials said there was no impact on drinking water quality, though some communities briefly faced operational disruptions while systems were restored. 

—Agencies

US sanctions Indian firm linked to Mahan Air 

Washington: The US has imposed sanctions on six entities and individuals, including India-based Skiez Travels and Logistics Pvt Ltd, for allegedly supporting Iranian carrier Mahan Air, which Washington says assists Iran’s IRGC. The US Treasury Department said the companies acted as general sales agents for Mahan Air, providing commercial and logistical support.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said those aiding the airline were helping sustain a terrorist enterprise and would be cut off from the US financial system. Skiez Travels, which has offices in Srinagar and Delhi, has represented Mahan Air since 2020. The sanctions also target entities in China and Russia, along with an Iranian company accused of supporting military targeting.

US: 24 ships redirected in Iran blockade

Washington: The US military said it has redirected 24 commercial vessels, boarded two and disabled two others while enforcing its blockade against Iran in West Asia. On X, US Central Command said more than 20 warships, reconnaissance aircraft and thousands of personnel were monitoring regional waters to ensure compliance. CENTCOM rejected Iranian claims US aircraft had been destroyed and an oil tanker had breached the blockade, calling them misinformation spread by Iranian state media and the IRGC.