Israeli forces captured the historic Beaufort Castle site in southern Lebanon after days of heavy fighting and airstrikes against Hezbollah positions.
The advance marks Israel’s deepest incursion into Lebanon since its withdrawal in 2000, with troops raising their flag over the Crusader-era fortress overlooking the Litani River valley.
Defense Minister Israel Katz linked the operation to the 1982 Battle of Beaufort, calling it a tribute to soldiers who fell during the First Lebanon War.
Residents south of the Zahrani River were ordered to evacuate as clashes intensified, while Hezbollah fighters launched missiles and drones in resistance.
Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri condemned the move as aggression, while France requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting, and the United States engaged both sides to sustain negotiations.
The capture of Beaufort Castle carries both strategic and symbolic weight, giving Israel a commanding view of southern Lebanon and reviving memories of its earlier occupation.
