TEL AVIV, May 31. /TASS/. The Israeli army has established control of a key strategic height north of the Litani River in Lebanon, home to the Crusader fortress of Beaufort, Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote on X.
He posted a photo on his page showing the flags of Israel and the Golani Brigade fluttering over the ruins of a medieval castle.
"Under the guidance of [Israeli] Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] and my direction, the IDF expanded its maneuver in Lebanon, crossed the Litani River and captured the Beaufort Ridge, one of the most important strategic points for the protection of our settlements in Galilee and the safety of our troops," he wrote.
The minister noted that this occurred 44 years after the Israeli army first captured Beaufort Castle in 1982 during Operation Peace for Galilee. "This is a clear message to our enemies: those who threaten Israeli citizens will lose their strategic assets one by one," he stressed.
Katz added that the military operation against the Shiite Hezbollah forces in southern Lebanon continued. "The campaign is not yet over. The IDF is strong, and we are all determined to crush Hezbollah’s power and complete the mission, ensuring the security of the residents of the North [of Israel]," he concluded.
