Israeli Forces Seize Historic Beaufort Castle in Southern Lebanon

Israeli troops captured Beaufort Castle, a 12th-century Crusader hilltop fortress built on a cliffside above the Litani River, during an operation in southern Lebanon. The position provides a commanding view over much of southern Lebanon and northern Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces said the operation focused on establishing control of the Beaufort Ridge and the Wadi al-Saluki area to degrade Hezbollah infrastructure established under Iranian direction.

Hundreds of projectiles had been launched toward Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers from launch sites in the Beaufort Ridge area, the IDF stated. The operation is Israel's deepest incursion into Lebanon in more than 26 years. Israel previously captured the castle during the 1982 Lebanon War and maintained a base there for 18 years before withdrawing in 2000.

He described the seizure as “a dramatic stage and a dramatic shift in the policy we are leading” and said Israel had “broken the barrier of fear” while operating on multiple fronts. The IDF issued a sweeping evacuation order for areas south of the Zahrani River, north of the Litani River, and around 25 miles from the border. One Israeli soldier was killed during the operation.

The IDF raised the Israeli flag above the castle. Saturday had seen one of the heaviest days of Hezbollah fire toward northern Israel since the April ceasefire, which prompted school closures and movement restrictions. During the 2024 Lebanon War, UNESCO granted the site enhanced protection.