Israeli troops have captured the strategic hilltop of Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, the deepest incursion into the country in over 25 years. The Israeli flag now flies over the medieval fortress near Nabatiyeh.
The operation, which followed days of heavy airstrikes and ground clashes with Hezbollah fighters, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the capture a 'dramatic turning point' in Israel's campaign.
'The capture of Beaufort is a dramatic phase and a dramatic turning point in the policy we are pursuing. We have broken the barrier of fear,' Netanyahu said in a statement.
Israel has expanded its ground invasion, sending troops beyond the Litani River and designating a new combat zone up to the Zahrani River. Residents of Nabatiyeh and the coastal city of Tyre have been urged to evacuate.
Hezbollah continues to resist, claiming attacks on Israeli forces and launching rockets into northern Israel. The group's use of fiber-optic drones has proven deadly for Israeli troops. The conflict has killed at least 3,350 people in Lebanon and displaced over one million.
France has condemned the incursion, requesting an emergency UN Security Council meeting. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that 'nothing can justify the continuation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon and its ever deeper occupation of Lebanese territory.'
Beaufort Castle, built by Crusaders in the 12th century, has served as a strategic military asset for nearly a millennium. It was previously held by Israel from 1982 until their withdrawal in 2000. UNESCO granted enhanced protection to the site in 2024.