Exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon have continued this week, despite US-led efforts to broker a new ceasefire. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced criticism from both the opposition and elements within his own government after he apparently called off attacks on Hezbollah’s Dahiyeh stronghold in south Beirut. This followed a request from President Donald Trump. Israeli forces are continuing their advance into southern Lebanon.
In a move celebrated by government supporters but with ominous memories for many Israelis, the IDF’s 36th Division took the Beaufort Castle, built by the crusaders, earlier this week. The Golani Infantry Brigade raised its banner over the fort. Defence Minister Yisrael Katz said at a ceremony that ‘26 years after the withdrawal, our heroic soldiers have captured Beaufort once again, and will remain there as part of the security zone in Lebanon’. The Beaufort was first captured by the Golani Brigade in 1982.
The Beirut government isn’t strong enough to stop Hezbollah, still less to disarm it
Israel’s retaking of this strategic location represents the deepest continuous advance by the IDF into Lebanon since the unilateral withdrawal from the last ‘security zone’ in 2000. It also reflects the evident inability of Israel to develop a policy or strategy able to finally place relations with its smaller northern neighbour on a firm and stable footing.
