The Israeli military has officially seized control of the strategically vital 900-year-old Beaufort Castle in South Lebanon. Also known locally as Qala`at al-Shaqif, the capture of this historic mountain fortress was formally confirmed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. This critical development comes as Israeli ground forces advance deeper into Lebanese territory, pushing significantly past the established boundary of the Litani River.Beaufort Castle has fallen to Israeli infantry forces.
This latest military incursion has drawn sharp international condemnation from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Amid the rapid escalation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued sweeping evacuation orders, warning civilians in large sectors of South Lebanon to move north immediately. This marks the second time in recent days that Israel has commanded residents to completely abandon the entire southern region located below the Zahrani River. An IDF spokesperson stated that a significant contingent of ground troops is actively participating in the operation, which is expanding into new sectors. The military added that anyone remaining near Hezbollah members, operational assets, or infrastructure is placing their life at grave risk.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper joined European allies in calling for an immediate cessation of the escalating hostilities. Writing on social media, Cooper emphasized that the military offensive has killed and displaced civilians while destroying critical regional infrastructure and narrowing diplomatic options. She further asserted that Hezbollah must stop its rocket attacks on Israel and disarm completely. Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam delivered a televised national address accusing Israel of executing a scorched-earth policy and inflicting collective punishment in the south.
France, which maintains deep historical ties with Lebanon, has requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address the crisis. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the massive ongoing offensive in South Lebanon has no justification, urging all parties to permanently silence their weapons. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot characterized the military strategy as a major strategic mistake for Israel`s long-term security interests. Concurrently, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed grave concern, warning that further escalation will trigger a massive new wave of internal displacement within Lebanon.
Perched high above the Litani Valley, Beaufort Castle was originally constructed by Crusaders nearly nine centuries ago. Located just 14.5 kilometers from the Israeli border, it remains a powerful tactical symbol of military dominance over the surrounding terrain. The Israeli military previously captured the fortress 44 years ago during the 1982 First Lebanon War, eventually abandoning it in 2000 during the withdrawal from their self-proclaimed southern buffer zone. Members of the Golani Brigade have once again raised the Israeli flag over the historic ruins. Defense Minister Israel Katz hailed the takeover as both a strategic and symbolic triumph necessary to protect border settlements, while Prime Minister Netanyahu noted that the operation represents a decisive shift across multiple active fronts, including Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon.
The current conflict intensified dramatically following a March 2 airstrike that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Hezbollah responded by launching massive retaliatory rocket barrages into northern Israel, triggering the subsequent all-out air and ground offensive across Lebanon. According to Lebanese authorities, more than 3,300 people have been killed since the escalation began. Despite a US-brokered ceasefire agreement, the Israeli military continues its forward operations and strikes deep inside Lebanese territory.
