Israeli troops have captured the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle and its strategic ridge in southern Lebanon, marking a major advance against Hezbollah. This operation took them beyond the Litani River, making it their deepest incursion into the country in over 26 years.
After days of intense fighting and airstrikes in nearby villages, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the military had taken control of the fortress, also known as Qalaat al-Shaqif. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had previously used this site as a base during their occupation of southern Lebanon from 1982 to 2000.
Photos released by Katz and footage verified by Agence France-Presse showed Israeli and Golani Brigade flags flying over Beaufort Castle, while shelling echoed across the surrounding hills and smoke rose from the area. Perched on a commanding hilltop, the medieval fortress overlooks much of southern Lebanon, giving it significant strategic importance.
In a statement, the IDF said it had “launched an operation in the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Saluki area of southern Lebanon to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure and expand its control of the area.”
The military reported that its forces had crossed the Litani River and seized positions from which Hezbollah had directed attacks and launched rockets into Israel.
Stalled negotiations between the US and Iran have created a vacuum, allowing Israel to step up its operations in Lebanon. Observers say Israeli officials and military commanders wanted to inflict as much damage as possible on Hezbollah before any deal between Tehran and Washington could impose new limits or stop the current offensive.
Israeli forces appear to be positioning themselves for a potential encirclement of Nabatieh, a city that serves as an economic center and cultural heartland for southern Lebanon. Control of the surrounding hills would provide commanding views over large parts of southern Lebanon and the western Bekaa valley, offering a significant tactical advantage.
A truce to halt the fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah officially began on April 17 but has never been observed. Israel and Hezbollah accuse each other daily of violating the ceasefire and justify their attacks by citing the other’s alleged breaches.
For many Lebanese, Nabatieh holds significance beyond its strategic value. Long seen as a symbol of resistance, the city has repeatedly found itself on the frontline of Israeli military campaigns and remains deeply embedded in the political and historical memory of southern Lebanon.
In recent days, Israeli forces have moved past the towns of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah and Mayfadoun and are now approaching Choukine, where local people were ordered to evacuate on Saturday amid fears of further military operations.
Taking over Nabatieh would deal a blow to Hezbollah’s morale, said Mohanad Hage Ali, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Center, a think tank based in Beirut.
Addressing fears among Lebanese of a virtual annexation, he added: “Given the level of destruction in the so-called ‘yellow zone,’ the range of possibilities is between denying the return of the population and annexation or settlement, similar to what’s happening in the West Bank.”
“Annexation is no longer a wild conspiracy theory. There are ministerial statements to this effect from Israel’s finance and national security ministers, among others.”
On Saturday, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel of “pursuing a scorched-earth policy and collective punishment” by “destroying towns and villages, and forcing their inhabitants into exile” in the south of the country. Salam said the country was facing a serious crisis.A “dangerous” escalation has been condemned, with calls for “a swift and real ceasefire.” The actions would bring “neither security nor stability” to Israel, he said.
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Salam defended his government’s engagement with its southern neighbor, after military delegations from both countries held security talks in Washington on Friday. More US-brokered negotiations are planned for next week.
He said the outcome of the negotiations was “not guaranteed,” but called them “the least costly path for our country and our people.”
Reuters reported that the Israeli military said one of its soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Lebanon.
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Smoke rises above the village of Kfar Tebnit in Nabatieh, where the Israeli army carried out airstrikes on Saturday. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
Earlier on Saturday, Hezbollah said it had targeted the air traffic control unit at the Meron base in northern Israel, a strategic surveillance and command facility near the Lebanese border. The group also claimed responsibility for rocket fire toward Kiryat Shmona, one of the Israeli communities most affected by the conflict.
Videos on social media appeared to show beachgoers in northern Israel running for shelter as Hezbollah rockets were launched toward the area, according to local media. This barrage was the first fired from Lebanon toward the coastal city of Nahariya in three weeks.
The Lebanese health ministry says Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,371 people since March 2, when Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war in support of its backer, Iran. Hezbollah said it attacked Israel in retaliation for the death of Iran’s supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes when the war erupted on February 28. Iran has said that any agreement to end the wider Middle East war must also cover Lebanon.
With Agence France-Presse and Reuters
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the capture of Beaufort Castle by Israeli troops during their advance into Lebanon
BeginnerLevel Questions
Q Where is Beaufort Castle and why is it important
A Its an ancient fortress in southern Lebanon sitting on a hilltop overlooking the Litani River and northern Israel Its main importance is strategic whoever controls the castle can see and fire rockets or artillery deep into Israeli territory
Q Who captured the castle and when did this happen
A Israeli troops captured the castle as part of their ground operation in Lebanon The exact date varies by report but it occurred during the 2024 escalation of the IsraelHezbollah conflict
Q Does this mean Israel is now occupying all of southern Lebanon
A No Capturing a single castle doesnt mean they control all of southern Lebanon It means they have taken a key military position but fighting is still ongoing in other areas
Q Why is this castle so famous
A Its historically famous for being a Crusader fortress but in modern times its famous because Hezbollah used it as a command post and observation point It became a symbol of resistance during Israels 2000 withdrawal from Lebanon
AdvancedLevel Questions
Q What specific military advantage does controlling Beaufort Castle give Israeli forces
A It provides a highground observation post that overlooks the Litani River valley and the main supply routes into southern Lebanon From here Israeli forces can spot and target Hezbollah rocket launchers disrupt supply lines and control movement in the surrounding area
Q How does this capture affect Hezbollahs ability to launch rockets into Israel
A It significantly degrades their shortrange rocket capability The castle was a key launch site for rockets targeting northern Israeli towns Losing it means Hezbollah must use less effective loweraltitude positions that are easier to hit
Q What are the risks for Israeli troops holding this position
A The castle is a wellknown landmark making it a target for Hezbollah counterattacks including mortar fire antitank missiles and snipers Its also a difficult position to resupply if the surrounding roads are under fire
