Hezbollah Command Post at Beaufort Castle Neutralized by Israeli Forces
Israeli troops seized the Crusader-era fortress on Sunday, marking the deepest advance into Lebanon in 26 years. The operation targets Hezbollah positions north of the Litani River.
France 24Israeli 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.
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- CNN reported: The Israel Defense Forces stated its operation is focused on establishing operational control of the Beaufort Ridge and the Wadi al-Saluki area to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure
- CNN reported: The Israel Defense Forces stated it has expanded operations against Hezbollah targets north of the Litani River
- CNN reported: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces have crossed the Litani River
- CNN reported: The Israel Defense Forces stated the operation began several days ago with ground soldiers conducting offensive operations to expand the Forward Defense Line
- CNN reported: The Israel Defense Forces issued evacuation orders for villages north of the Litani River
- France 24 reported: Israeli forces planted their flag on the castle
- CNN reported: The Israel Defense Forces stated that from Beaufort Ridge, Hezbollah carried out numerous attacks against Israel
- France 24 reported: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that troops will remain at Beaufort as part of Israel's security zone in Lebanon
- CNN reported: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that anyone who threatens Israeli civilians will lose their strategic assets one by one
- CNN reported: UNESCO granted provisional enhanced protection to Beaufort Castle in late 2024
- CNN reported: Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated he would continue to demand permanent territorial control and exceptional military aggressiveness
- CNN reported: Beaufort Castle sustained significant damage during Israel's previous 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon that ended in 2000
- CNN reported: Beaufort Castle has been described by UNESCO as one of the best-preserved examples of medieval castles in the Near East
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