British News Agency

Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement responding to claims made at UNESCO that Beaufort Castle is endangered because it is "under direct Israeli military occupation."

The ministry described the allegations as unacceptable and argued that Hezbollah is the party responsible for endangering historical sites in Lebanon.

The statement claimed that Hezbollah used the 12th-century Crusader castle as a military base for many years, built an extensive tunnel network beneath it, and launched hundreds of rocket, missile, and drone attacks against Israel from the site.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry also criticized the fact that no initiative had been taken to designate Beaufort Castle as an endangered heritage site during the years in which Hezbollah controlled the castle.