Israeli forces have captured the strategic Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, marking the deepest incursion into the country in over 26 years as the military expands its ground offensive against Hezbollah .
The Israeli military confirmed it has taken control of the Crusader-era castle, which sits atop a high ridge overlooking the Litani River valley. The castle was a Hezbollah command post used to launch attacks on Israeli communities .
‘A dramatic shift in policy’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the capture as “a dramatic stage and a dramatic change in the policy we are leading” . Speaking at a ceremony, Defense Minister Israel Katz said troops had raised the Israeli flag over the fortress and that Israel intends to establish a “permanent presence” in the area .
“We have broken the barrier of fear. We are taking the initiative; we are operating on all fronts – in Syria, in Gaza, and in Lebanon,” Netanyahu said, adding that he has instructed the IDF to deepen its hold on areas previously controlled by Hezbollah .
The IDF’s Golani Brigade, which first captured the castle from the PLO in 1982, led the operation. The castle was held by Israel until its withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000 .
Ground forces cross Litani River
The operation began several days ago and has seen Israeli ground troops cross the Litani River – a strategic waterway that had previously served as a de facto boundary . Soldiers are now operating near the major city of Nabatieh, a Hezbollah stronghold approximately five kilometers from the castle .
The IDF has issued sweeping evacuation orders for all areas south of the Zahrani River, warning that “anyone present near Hezbollah elements, facilities or means of combat endangers their life” . Thousands of residents have already fled cities including Tyre and Nabatieh .
Rising casualties and international outcry
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports that Israeli strikes have killed over 3,350 people since the war began on March 2 . On Sunday, an airstrike near Hiram Hospital in Tyre wounded 13 health workers .
Israel has confirmed 25 soldiers killed in or near southern Lebanon .
International condemnation has been swift. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the “major escalation” and requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting . Germany warned of a “severe humanitarian fallout,” while the UK called for an immediate halt to the widening offensive .
Qatar labeled the ground incursion a “dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of Lebanese sovereignty” .
Political and military stakes
The capture of Beaufort gives Israel a commanding view over southern Lebanon and northern Israel, removing a key Hezbollah observation post . The advance comes just days before the next round of US-mediated ceasefire talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials, scheduled for June 2 in Washington .
However, with forces now pushing deeper than ever in a quarter-century, a return to the negotiating table appears increasingly unlikely in the immediate term
