Israel claims capture of Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon amid ongoing fighting

Hezbollah says fighting ongoing with Israeli troops near strategic castle Hezbollah said on Monday that its fighters were still battling Israeli forces nearby Beaufort Castle, south Lebanon.  The group said in a statement that its fighters were in a "battle of attrition against forces of the Israeli enemy army who are present in the area". On Sunday, Israel announced the capture of the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle and the strategic ridge surrounding it in southern Lebanon, deepening its footprint in the country beyond the demarcation zone known as the "Yellow Line".

Israel Seizes Crusader Beaufort Castle, Marking Deepest Plunge Into Lebanon In Decades Fresh Sunday reports say that Israel's military has made its deepest plunge into Lebanon in nearly three decades, having captured a strategic crusader castle site and UNESCO World Heritage Landmark, Beaufort castle. It was last captured in 1982, when the IDF later pushed all the way north to occupy portions of Beirut. The army posted photographic proof via its Arabic spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, who issued an image on X showing Israeli troops walking outside the castle. An Israeli flag has also been raised over the stone fortress complex. via IDF The castile overlooks the Litani River, which Israeli forces have been pushing north of, and has stood for nearly 1,000 years - and was at various times used by Crusader knights, Saladin’s Jerusalem army, the Mamlukes, and Ottomans. In the 1980s, fighters from the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) even occupied it for a time. The name Beaufort is Old French for "beautiful fortress." Soon the heels of the historic site's capture, the IDF repeated a warning to everyone south of the Zahrani, saying they must evacuate or else face the possibility of coming under attack and thus death or injury. "Anyone present near Hezbollah elements, facilities or means of combat endangers their life," an IDF spokesman said. The castle appears to have been shelled by the IDF before the final ground assault. According to more details via The Times of Israel: Troops took over territory in the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi Saluki stream area and expanded strikes north of the Litani River after the Hezbollah terror group fired multiple rockets and drones at Israel on Saturday afternoon and evening, forcing schools near the border with Lebanon to close on Sunday. Footage from Sunday morning showed Israeli and IDF flags flying over the citadel, a strategic medieval Crusader-built fortress with symbolic importance in the history of Israel’s military entanglements in Lebanon. Shelling was audible and smoke rose from the surrounding area. The fortress, also known as Qalaat al-Shakif, commands sweeping views of the Galilee Panhandle in northern Israel, as well as the Nabatieh area in southern Lebanon, making it a position of considerable strategic value. Footage of IDF forces taking Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/D8Vr0qVfQH — Amit Segal (@AmitSegal) May 31, 2026 The day prior to the takeover, northern Israel had come under heavy Hezbollah rocket and drone attack. These rocket waves have been stepped up as it's become clear the Lebanon ceasefire has effectively collapsed. The past week has seen hundreds of projectiles fired on southern Lebanon. Gong back to early March, over 3,180 Lebanese have been killed, with more than 9,000 wounded - according to Lebanese health officials. The figures do not distinguish between armed combatants or civilians. Critics of Israel have warned that Netanyahu is trying to sabotage Trump's efforts to find a final peace deal with Iran. The Israelis have long worried that Washington could in the end settle for a 'bad deal' - or one that doesn't ensure the complete destruction of Iran's nuclear program and highly enriched uranium. Lebanon’s LBCI airs footage of the flags of Israel and Sayeret Golani flying over Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, north of the Litani River. pic.twitter.com/wCsqvQ6Ue1 — Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران (@ariel_oseran) May 31, 2026 The US-mediated truce was really only something that was meant to prevent Israel from bombing Beirut and other government centers once again. Washington has been trying to put the pressure on the Lebanese government and national army to finally disarm Hezbollah - but this has remained unrealistic as the army is weak and underfunded (ironically in part due to limitations imposed by the US). Tyler Durden Sun, 05/31/2026 - 19:15

Netanyahu describes Israeli seizure of Lebanon castle as 'shift in policy' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described Israeli forces' capture of Beaufort castle in southern Lebanon as a "dramatic shift" in Israel's war on Lebanon. "Today, we have returned to Beaufort in a different way. We have returned united, determined, and stronger than ever," Netanyahu said in a video statement. "The capture of Beaufort is a dramatic stage and a dramatic shift in the policy we are leading. We have broken the barrier of fear. We are taking the initiative, we are operating on all fronts – in Syria, in Gaza, in Lebanon." The capture of the medieval castle and ridge deepens Israeli footprint in the country beyond the demarcation zone known as the "Yellow Line", which it established in April following the ceasefire. Beaufort Castle, known in Arabic as Qalaat al-Shaqif, is a strategic vantage point overlooking large parts of southern Lebanon and northern Israel. It is located about 5km from the major southern city of Nabatieh.

Israel seizes strategic castle as it expands invasion of south Lebanon Israeli troops have captured the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle and the strategic ridge surrounding it in southern Lebanon, the military said on Sunday, as it expands its ground offensive despite a nominal ceasefire. The capture of the medieval castle and ridge deepens Israeli footprint in the country beyond the demarcation zone known as the "Yellow Line", which it established in April following the ceasefire. It comes after days of intense fighting and air strikes in nearby villages, where Israeli troops fought Hezbollah members in the rugged area. Beaufort Castle, known in Arabic as Qalaat al-Shaqif, is a strategic vantage point overlooking large parts of southern Lebanon and northern Israel. It is located about 5km from the major southern city of Nabatieh. Israeli troops previously captured the castle in 1982 and held it until they withdrew from Lebanon in 2000. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said he had ordered the army to expand its operations in Lebanon, cross the Litani River, which the Israeli military had previously used as a de facto boundary, and capture the Beaufort Ridge. Katz later announced that Israeli troops would remain at the castle as part of Israel's "security zone" in Lebanon. Read more: Israel seizes strategic castle as it expands invasion of south Lebanon Israeli soldiers operate at Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon in this handout image released on 31 May 2026 (Israeli military/Handout via Reuters)  

Israel claims control of strategic Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon The Israeli military said it has taken control of Beaufort Castle, a strategic hilltop fortress in southern Lebanon that has featured in several major confrontations since Israel’s 1982 invasion of the country. According to the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, military sources said efforts are now focused on consolidating control over Beaufort Castle and the surrounding Saluki River area. The report said “control over these sites was achieved after clashes and heavy fire cover from the ground and air”, as  Israel expands operations in southern Lebanon.  Beaufort Castle is seen in the backdrop of destroyed buildings in Kfar Kila, southern Lebanon, 29 May 2026. (Jalaa Marey/AFP)