Israel Seizes Beaufort Castle in Southern Lebanon

Tel Aviv - Beaufort Castle, a Crusader-era fortress on a strategic hilltop in southern Lebanon, is now under Israeli control following a military operation against Hezbollah, said Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Sunday. According to Katz, the operation was carried out under instructions from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, involving an expansion of military maneuvers across the Litani River to seize the Beaufort area, deemed highly strategic. ‘Under orders from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and myself, the IDF has expanded military operations in Lebanon, crossed the Litani River, and seized Beaufort Castle, one of the most critical strategic points for protecting settlements in Galilee and ensuring the safety of our troops,’ Katz wrote on X. Beaufort Castle is one of the most critical strategic points in southern Lebanon due to its position overlooking a wide area of the Israel-Lebanon border. Meanwhile, Israel’s advancing troops deeper into Lebanon have triggered increased Hezbollah rocket attacks on several Israeli cities. Air raid sirens were reported in Kiryat Shmona, Nahariya, Safed, Karmiel, and other areas. In response to deteriorating security, Israel’s Home Front Command has tightened rules on gatherings and school operations in the northern regions. A hospital in Nahariya has also been ordered to relocate operations to underground facilities in anticipation of further attacks.