Shooting was heard from the surrounding areas and smoke rose, with news agency AFP noting the Israeli military flag raised above the castle. Israeli forces used this fortress as a base during the previous two-decade occupation.
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Israeli Defense Minister Israelis Katz stated that soldiers captured a historic stronghold offering wide views of Southern Lebanon, as the country’s military expanded ground operations; the Lebanese Prime Minister condemned these as a “scorched earth” policy.
“Forty-four years after the heroic Battle of Beaufort and on this day honoring the memory of soldiers fallen in the First Lebanon War, our soldiers returned to the summit of Beaufort and raised the Israeli flag there again,” Katz wrote on social media.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and myself, the IDF expanded operations in Lebanon, crossed the Litani River, and captured the summit of Beaufort – one of the most important strategic points to defend Galilee communities and ensure the safety of our forces,” he said.
The Israeli military began moving toward the Beaufort fortress after issuing a broad evacuation order for areas south of the Zahrani River, north of the Litani, and about 40 km from the border, warning that the target was the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.
“Anyone near Hezbollah members, facilities, or combat means endangers their life. Any building Hezbollah uses for military purposes can become a target!” warned Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee on social media.
On Saturday, the Iran-backed armed group reported several attacks against Northern Israel and clashes with Israeli soldiers in Southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah stated it was resisting Israeli forces on the outskirts of the towns Zavtar al Sharqiya, Johmor al Shakif, and Dibin, adding that the soldiers “have not yet succeeded in taking control of these towns.”
The Israeli military reported on Sunday that one of its soldiers was killed the day before in a Hezbollah drone explosion. Since early March, the number of Israeli soldiers killed in Lebanon has risen to 25.
According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, more than 3,371 people have died in Israeli attacks since March 2, when Hezbollah involved Lebanon in the Middle East war.
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