HomeAUIsraeli Forces Seize Key Lebanese Castle in Strategic Military Operation

Israeli Forces Seize Key Lebanese Castle in Strategic Military Operation

Share and Follow
Israeli troops have captured a strategic mountain topped with a Crusader-built castle in southern Lebanon in their deepest incursion into the country in more than a quarter of a century.

After days of fierce combat and aerial bombardments targeting nearby villages, Israeli forces have successfully seized Beaufort Castle, located near Nabatiyeh. This strategic victory comes amid ongoing clashes with Hezbollah fighters entrenched in the area’s challenging terrain.

The capture of the castle marks a major gain for Israel since the latest Israel-Hezbollah war began in early March and as the two countries that have been in a state of war since Israel was created in 1948 hold direct talks in Washington.
The capture of Beaufort castle near the city of Nabatiyeh came after days of intense fighting and airstrikes
The capture of Beaufort castle near the city of Nabatiyeh came after days of intense fighting and airstrikes (Getty)

Despite the nominal ceasefire that has been effective since April 17, the Israeli military has intensified its operations in the region.

Avichay Adraee, the Israeli army’s spokesperson for Arabic media, shared an image on the social platform X, depicting Israeli soldiers stationed outside the historic castle. Notably, Israeli forces first took control of Beaufort Castle in 1982, maintaining their hold until their withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000.

In a recent statement, the Israeli military disclosed the initiation of an operation targeting Beaufort Ridge and the Suluki Valley to the south. The operation’s primary objective is to dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure and neutralize threats that directly endanger Israeli civilians.

The military further emphasized its preparedness to escalate the operation if circumstances demand.

Israeli troops have been advancing for days in villages close to Beaufort castle after crossing the Litani River, which the Israeli military previously used as a de facto boundary.

They are now about five kilometres from the city of Nabatiyeh, a major centre in southern Lebanon.

Nabatiyeh town, south Lebanon
Rescue workers check a destroyed building that was hit by an Israeli airstrike in Nabatiyeh town, south Lebanon, in March. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah or the Lebanese government on the Israeli push.

The latest Israel-Hezbollah war began on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel two days after the US and Israel attacked its main backer, Iran.

Eighteen-metre wave wipes out town hours from the ocean

Israel has since launched a ground invasion, capturing dozens of Lebanese villages and towns close to the border.

It has left 3,350 people dead in Lebanon and over 1 million people displaced.

Share and Follow