Israeli Forces Take Control of Beaufort Ridge in Southern Lebanon, Expand Operations Beyond Ceasefire

Israeli forces announced control of the Beaufort Ridge early Sunday, a position described as key to protecting communities near the border. Regular troops crossed the Litani River for the first time since the Israeli military withdrew in 2000. The seizure of the Crusader castle Beaufort marked another advance in operations that expanded beyond southern Lebanon last week.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israeli forces will continue operating in southern Lebanon as planned and will deepen strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut. He stated that Hezbollah headquarters in the Dahieh neighborhood of Beirut will not remain untouched while the group attacks northern Israeli communities.

Netanyahu said the operations aim to eliminate Hezbollah strongholds and restore security for residents in northern Israel.

Netanyahu posted on X that if Hezbollah does not cease attacking Israeli cities and citizens, Israel will attack terror targets in Beirut. “This stance of ours remains unchanged.

He added that Hezbollah is on the run and will not be permitted to attack Israeli cities while its Beirut headquarters remains intact. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social on Monday that he had conversations with both Netanyahu and Hezbollah through intermediaries. Trump stated that both sides had pledged not to attack the other if their opponent did not.

Netanyahu posted his statement on X approximately two hours after Trump’s announcement. A ceasefire has been in place in Lebanon since last month, brokered between representatives from Israel and the Lebanese government. Hezbollah, which was not party to the negotiations, said it would disregard the ceasefire from the outset.

The Israeli military has held back from excessive attacks outside southern Lebanon to avoid angering Washington. No timeline for ending the operations was provided.