Israeli Forces Seize Beaufort Castle in Southern Lebanon

Israeli forces captured Beaufort Castle on Sunday, a Crusader-built fortress on a cliff overlooking the Litani River roughly 9 miles from the border. Troops planted the Israeli flag on the mountain summit, the military said. The operation began several days ago with a significant number of ground soldiers advancing to expand the Forward Defense Line.

The stated goal is to establish operational control of the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Saluki area and to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure there. The IDF said Hezbollah had used the ridge to manage military activities and launch attacks. On Saturday the Lebanese state news agency NNA reported Israeli air raids and intense bombardment around the castle.

Hezbollah claimed it destroyed an Israeli tank near the site. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that Israeli forces have crossed the Litani River, which runs 15-20 miles north of the border. The IDF said it has expanded operations against Hezbollah targets north of the river and issued evacuation orders for villages in the area.

The castle sustained significant damage during Israel's 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon that ended in 2000. UNESCO granted it provisional enhanced protection in late 2024 as one of 34 Lebanese cultural properties. -mediated ceasefire was agreed in April, yet clashes have continued.

U.S. President Donald Trump told Netanyahu last week that he supported Israel's freedom of action against threats on all fronts, including Lebanon, an Israeli official said. Israel's defense minister said troops will remain at Beaufort as part of Israel's security zone in Lebanon.