New Delhi: On Sunday, the Israeli forces announced the capture of the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle, also known as Qalaat al-Shakif, in southern Lebanon as part of a ground offensive beyond the original demarcation line of the Litani river.
The move marks Israel’s deepest military advance into Lebanon in more than two decades and comes despite a ceasefire nominally in place since April. According to the Israeli military, the latest operation was aimed at expanding what it calls a “Forward Defense Line” inside southern Lebanon.“The IDF has crossed the Litani River and expanded its operations against Hezbollah targets north of the river. The operation is currently expanding to additional areas,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a press release.
Hezbollah had established significant military infrastructure in and around the Beaufort area with Iranian support, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. The group, according to Israeli officials, used positions around the ridge to coordinate military activities and launch attacks against Israeli territory.The military claimed that hundreds of rockets had been fired from the area toward Israel and Israeli troops operating in southern Lebanon.Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that Israeli soldiers had raised the national flag over the fortress and added that Israel intended to maintain control of the position while continuing operations against Hezbollah infrastructure.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the operation as evidence of Israel’s determination and military initiative, calling Beaufort both a historic symbol and a strategic achievement.His Lebanese counterpart Nawaf Salam accused Israel of pursuing a “scorched-earth policy” and imposing collective punishment on southern Lebanon.
