Israel captures Crusader castle Beaufort in deepest Lebanon push in 26 years, expert calls it a 'turning point'
Israeli troops have captured the strategically vital Crusader-era Beaufort castle in southern Lebanon, marking their deepest advance into the country in over a quarter-century and drawing sharp international condemnation as a US-brokered ceasefire unravels.
The capture of Beaufort
Israeli forces seized the 900-year-old Beaufort Crusader castle and the surrounding ridge in southern Lebanon over the weekend, the deepest push into the country since Israel's withdrawal in 2000. Soldiers raised the Israeli flag over the fortress, which sits at an altitude of roughly 700 meters near the city of Nabatieh, offering commanding views of the region. The operation involved multiple brigades and the air force, with troops scaling the ridge from the west in a surprise maneuver after a previous attempt two months ago had failed.
We have broken the barrier of fear.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the capture as a "dramatic turn" in Israel's campaign against Hezbollah. Defense Minister Israel Katz called it a "clear message to our enemies: whoever threatens the citizens of Israel will lose their strategic positions one after another."
A turning point in the conflict
Geopolitical analyst Joe Macaron, based in Beirut, told the Associated Press that the advance represents a "turning point." He said it was too early to tell how the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah would respond to the loss of territory, but that the more ground Israel could seize before a potential ceasefire, the more conditions it could try to impose on Hezbollah.
We are at a turning point.
The offensive has expanded significantly despite a ceasefire declared on April 17 by US President Donald Trump. Israel's military has now crossed the Litani River and is pushing toward the Zahrani River, approximately 40 kilometers north of the border. Evacuation orders were issued for all areas south of the Zahrani.
Hezbollah attacks and Israeli casualties
The Israeli advance followed heavy rocket and drone attacks by Hezbollah on northern Israel, which have disrupted public life and forced school closures. A 21-year-old Israeli non-commissioned officer was killed by a Hezbollah explosive drone on Saturday. Since hostilities resumed on March 2, Israeli authorities report 25 Israelis killed, including 24 soldiers and one civilian contractor. On the Lebanese side, at least 16 people were killed by Israeli strikes on Saturday alone, according to Lebanese reports.
- Hostilities resume between Israel and Hezbollah after rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel.
- US-brokered ceasefire officially comes into effect, but violations continue on both sides.
- Israeli troops capture Beaufort castle and surrounding ridge in a large-scale operation.
- Israel issues evacuation orders for all areas south of the Zahrani River; France calls for UN Security Council session.
- Scheduled start of direct Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington.
International reaction
France has requested an emergency session of the UN Security Council. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told BFMTV that while France recognizes Israel's right to self-defense, "nothing can justify the continuation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon and an ever-deeper occupation of Lebanese territory." He called Israel's actions a "serious mistake" and a violation of international law and the ceasefire obligations.
Nothing can justify the continuation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon and an ever-deeper occupation of Lebanese territory.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel of pursuing a "scorched-earth policy and collective punishment" in the south, calling the attacks an "attempt to erase history." He warned that Lebanon must not become a "pawn" in regional conflicts.
Washington talks and security zones
A new round of direct talks between Israeli and Lebanese government representatives is scheduled to begin in Washington on Tuesday. Hezbollah, which operates as a state within a state in Lebanon, rejects these negotiations. Netanyahu stated that Israel has established "security zones" beyond its borders to protect its communities and ordered the military to "consolidate and expand" control over captured areas. The current war began in early March when Hezbollah launched rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel shortly after US-Israeli strikes on Iran, aiming to support its ally in Tehran.
