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Israel Captures Strategic Crusader Castle in Deepening Lebanon Incursion
🇪🇬 Egypt /Conflict & Security

Israel Captures Strategic Crusader Castle in Deepening Lebanon Incursion

From Egypt Independent · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The Israeli military captured the Crusader-era Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, expanding its incursion.
  • The castle, a strategic site overlooking the Litani River, has been a focus of fierce fighting.
  • Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu lauded the capture as a "dramatic stage and a dramatic change."

The Israeli military has captured the strategic Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, a Crusader-era fortress it has not controlled in 26 years, as its ground incursion into the neighboring country deepens. The castle, located near Nabatiyeh and approximately 9 miles from the Israeli border, fell after days of intense fighting in the region.

The operation is focused on establishing operational control of the Beaufort Ridge and the Wadi al-Saluki area.

— Israel Defense Forces (IDF) statementExplaining the objectives of the military operation in southern Lebanon.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the operation aims to establish operational control over the Beaufort Ridge and the Wadi al-Saluki area, with the objective of dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure. The castle, built by Crusaders on a cliff overlooking the Litani River about 900 years ago, has historically been a key strategic point. Israeli forces occupied it during previous conflicts.

"The operation began several days ago, during which a significant number of IDF ground soldiers commenced offensive operations aimed at expanding the Forward Defense Line," the IDF reported. "From Beaufort Ridge, Hezbollah terrorists managed military and combat activities and carried out numerous attacks." Hezbollah claimed to have destroyed an Israeli tank near the castle on Saturday, while the Lebanese state news agency NNA reported Israeli air raids and heavy bombardment in the castle's vicinity.

The operation began several days ago, during which a significant number of IDF ground soldiers commenced offensive operations aimed at expanding the Forward Defense Line.

— Israel Defense Forces (IDF)Describing the commencement and scope of the offensive.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrated the capture, declaring, "We returned to Beaufort stronger than ever." He added, "Our brave fighters captured the Beaufort outpost. They proudly raised the flag of the State of Israel and the flag of the Golani Brigade there." Netanyahu described the capture as a "dramatic stage and a dramatic change in the policy we are leading."

From Beaufort Ridge, Hezbollah terrorists managed military and combat activities and carried out numerous attacks.

— Israel Defense Forces (IDF)Detailing Hezbollah's activities from the strategic ridge.

UNESCO has described Beaufort Castle as "one of the best-preserved examples of medieval castles in the Near East" and had granted it provisional enhanced protection, the highest level of immunity against military use, in late 2024. The site saw heavy fighting between Israeli forces and the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1982, sustaining significant damage before Israel's withdrawal in 2000. Despite a US-mediated ceasefire in April, clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces have intensified, with Israel expanding its operations.

we returned to Beaufort stronger than ever.

— Benjamin NetanyahuIsraeli Prime Minister's statement on the capture of the castle.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Egypt Independent in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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