An Israeli flag flies over the medieval Beaufort Castle as seen from the Marjayoun area of southern Lebanon on Sunday. AFP
BEIRUT — Israeli troops have captured a strategic mountain topped with a Crusader-built castle in southern Lebanon in the deepest incursion of the country in 26 years, the military said on Sunday.
The capture of Beaufort Castle, near the city of Nabatieh, came after days of airstrikes and intense fighting in nearby villages where Israeli troops fought Hezbollah militants in the rugged area.
Its capture marks a major development in the latest conflict, despite a ceasefire that has been in place since April 17.
The Israeli military's spokesman Avichay Adraee posted a photograph on X showing Israeli troops walking outside the castle, and Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote on X that they had raised an Israeli flag over the castle.
