New Delhi: Israeli troops have captured the historic Beaufort Castle and the surrounding ridge in southern Lebanon, in what military officials described
as a major operation against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. The seizure of the medieval fortress marks one of Israel’s most significant territorial advances inside Lebanon in recent years.
Territorial expansion
According to the Israeli military, the operation focused on securing the Beaufort Ridge and the Wadi al-Saluki area, locations that Israel says Hezbollah used to launch attacks on both Israeli civilians and soldiers. One Israeli soldier was killed during the offensive. Israeli troops were also reported to be operating near Nabatieh, a key Hezbollah stronghold in southern Lebanon.
The advance comes despite a US-brokered ceasefire that has technically been in place since April. Tensions surged again after Hezbollah launched a heavy barrage of rockets towards northern Israel on Saturday, prompting school closures and security restrictions in border areas.
Why Beaufort Castle matters
Beaufort Castle is a 12th-century Crusader fortress perched on a hilltop overlooking large parts of southern Lebanon and northern Israel. Its commanding position has made it strategically important for centuries, including during modern conflicts involving Palestinian groups, Hezbollah and Israeli forces.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said troops would remain at the site as part of a broader security zone in southern Lebanon. The fortress was also a major battleground during Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon and later served as an Israeli military position until the country’s withdrawal in 2000.
