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.
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Israeli soldiers operate at Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon in this handout image released on 31 May 2026 (Israeli military/Handout via Reuters)