Israel claims capture of Beaufort Castle in Lebanon as flag raised

Israel claims to have seized Beaufort Castle (Qalaat al-Shaqif) near Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, with the Israeli flag raised over the medieval fortress. According to AFP, Al Jazeera, Reuters, and AP reports on Sunday (31 May 2026), Israeli forces captured the castle near Nabatieh in southern Lebanon. Artillery fire was heard and smoke billowed as AFP observed the attacking forces’ flag atop the castle, which Israel previously used as a base during its two-decade occupation. The report came after Israeli TV station Kan published images of the Israeli flag flying over the Crusader-era strategic structure located on a high hill about 15km (9 miles) from the Lebanon-Israel border. Lebanese authorities have not yet commented. If confirmed, the capture would be a significant military advantage for Israel, which has been fighting Hezbollah since 2 March. The castle is a UNESCO-protected heritage site previously occupied by Israel for 18 years before withdrawing from Lebanon in 2000. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated his forces had captured the historic fortress during expanded ground operations, which Lebanon’s prime minister condemned as a ‘scorched earth’ policy. ‘Forty-four years after the heroic Battle of Beaufort, and on this day commemorating the soldiers who fell in the First Lebanon War, our forces have returned to the summit of Beaufort and once again raised the Israeli flag there,’ Katz said in a social media post. ‘Under the direction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and myself, the IDF has expanded operations in Lebanon, crossed the Litani River, and captured the Beaufort Ridge—one of the most critical strategic points for safeguarding the Galilee communities and ensuring our troops’ security,’ he added. The attack on Beaufort comes as the Israeli military issued large-scale evacuation orders for areas south of the Zahrani River, north of the Litani, and around 40km (25 miles) from the border. Israel warned it is targeting Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah. ‘Anyone near Hezbollah’s elements, facilities, or combat infrastructure is endangering their lives. Any building used by Hezbollah for military purposes may be targeted!’ Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said in a social media post.