Israeli troops have captured the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle and its strategic ridge in southern Lebanon, marking a significant advance against Hezbollah. The military announced the seizure on Sunday, occurring despite a ceasefire that has been in effect for over six weeks.
The operation, which also targeted the Wadi al-Saluki area, aimed to establish control of the Beaufort Ridge and dismantle Hezbollah's infrastructure and capabilities in the region, which the military stated was established under Iranian direction. One Israeli soldier was reported killed during the operation.
This development follows one of the most intense days of Hezbollah rocket fire toward northern Israel since the April ceasefire, which had prompted school closures and safety restrictions. There has been no immediate comment from Lebanese authorities or Hezbollah regarding the capture of the castle.
The seizure of the medieval castle and ridge deepens Israel's presence in Lebanon, as the military front between Israel and Hezbollah remains active, even as a separate ceasefire is being observed in the broader conflict involving Iran.
Hezbollah initiated its involvement in the conflict by firing rockets and drones into Israel on March 2, shortly after the Iran conflict began. Israel subsequently commenced operations to push the Iran-backed militia away from its northern border.
The capture of Beaufort Castle provides Israeli forces with a commanding vantage point over significant portions of southern Lebanon and northern Israel, areas from which attacks have been launched toward Israeli residential zones. The military indicated that Hezbollah had conducted numerous attacks from the ridge, and Israeli troops were engaged in operations against launch infrastructure from which "hundreds of projectiles were launched toward Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers." Israeli forces are also operating near Nabatieh, a key Hezbollah stronghold in southern Lebanon.
