Bassem Mroue, Kareem Chehayeb and Steven ScheerJun 1, 2026 – 7.25amBeirut | Israeli troops have captured a strategic mountain topped with a Crusader-built castle in southern Lebanon in the deepest incursion into the country in more than a quarter-century, as Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered them to expand their offensive against Iranian-backed Hezbollah.The seizure of Beaufort castle, a hilltop fortress that dates back to the 12th century, follows days of intensifying clashes between Israeli soldiers and the Lebanese militant group as a nominal ceasefire disintegrates.Reuters and APSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
Israel seizes Crusader castle in biggest Lebanon incursion in decades
The seizure of the strategic 12th-century hilltop fortress comes as Israel’s prime minister orders an expanded offensive against the Hezbollah militant group.
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