{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1775818,
        "msgid": "israel-claims-capture-of-beaufort-castle-in-lebanon-as-flag-raised-1780283266",
        "date": "2026-05-31 16:29:00",
        "title": "Israel claims capture of Beaufort Castle in Lebanon as flag raised",
        "author": "",
        "source": "DETIK",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Politics",
        "summary": "Israeli forces have claimed to seize Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, a UNESCO-protected site previously occupied by Israel for 18 years, amid expanded military operations against Hezbollah. The move, condemned by Lebanon's prime minister as a 'scorched earth' policy, follows evacuation orders for border areas and warnings of targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. The strategic location is critical for safeguarding Israeli communities in Galilee.",
        "content": "<p>Israel claims to have seized Beaufort Castle (Qalaat al-Shaqif) near\nNabatieh in southern Lebanon, with the Israeli flag raised over the\nmedieval fortress. According to AFP, Al Jazeera, Reuters, and AP reports\non Sunday (31 May 2026), Israeli forces captured the castle near\nNabatieh in southern Lebanon. Artillery fire was heard and smoke\nbillowed as AFP observed the attacking forces\u2019 flag atop the castle,\nwhich Israel previously used as a base during its two-decade occupation.\nThe report came after Israeli TV station Kan published images of the\nIsraeli flag flying over the Crusader-era strategic structure located on\na high hill about 15km (9 miles) from the Lebanon-Israel border.\nLebanese authorities have not yet commented. If confirmed, the capture\nwould be a significant military advantage for Israel, which has been\nfighting Hezbollah since 2 March. The castle is a UNESCO-protected\nheritage site previously occupied by Israel for 18 years before\nwithdrawing from Lebanon in 2000. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz\nstated his forces had captured the historic fortress during expanded\nground operations, which Lebanon\u2019s prime minister condemned as a\n\u2018scorched earth\u2019 policy. \u2018Forty-four years after the heroic Battle of\nBeaufort, and on this day commemorating the soldiers who fell in the\nFirst Lebanon War, our forces have returned to the summit of Beaufort\nand once again raised the Israeli flag there,\u2019 Katz said in a social\nmedia post. \u2018Under the direction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\nand myself, the IDF has expanded operations in Lebanon, crossed the\nLitani River, and captured the Beaufort Ridge\u2014one of the most critical\nstrategic points for safeguarding the Galilee communities and ensuring\nour troops\u2019 security,\u2019 he added. The attack on Beaufort comes as the\nIsraeli military issued large-scale evacuation orders for areas south of\nthe Zahrani River, north of the Litani, and around 40km (25 miles) from\nthe border. Israel warned it is targeting Iran-backed armed group\nHezbollah. \u2018Anyone near Hezbollah\u2019s elements, facilities, or combat\ninfrastructure is endangering their lives. Any building used by\nHezbollah for military purposes may be targeted!\u2019 Israeli military\nspokesperson Avichay Adraee said in a social media post.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/israel-claims-capture-of-beaufort-castle-in-lebanon-as-flag-raised-1780283266",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}