Israel raises flag at Lebanon's Beaufort castle, expands ground operations

Israel raised its flag over the Beaufort medieval castle in southern Lebanon on Sunday, as it warned Lebanese civilians to evacuate large areas of the south ahead of escalating ground operations against Hezbollah.

French news agency AFP witnessed Israeli flags flying over the castle, with the sounds of artillery fire and plumes of smoke visible in the vicinity. The Beaufort castle served as an Israeli base during the 20-year occupation of southern Lebanon and overlooks the entire southern Lebanese landscape.

“

Residents of southern Lebanon, you must move immediately to north of the Zahrani.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on social media that the army had occupied the historic fortress as ground operations expanded. He stated that 44 years after the "Battle of Beaufort" and on the day commemorating fallen soldiers of the "Fifth Arab-Israeli War," the Israeli army had returned to the peak of Beaufort and raised the Israeli flag again.

The battle for Beaufort Castle in 1982 was one of the initial conflicts of the "Fifth Arab-Israeli War," ending with Israeli occupation. Katz added that under the direction of Prime Minister Netanyahu and himself, the army had crossed the Litani River and occupied Beaufort Ridge, a crucial strategic point for defending northern Israel's Upper Galilee region and ensuring the safety of Israeli forces.

“

As ground operations expand, the army has occupied this historic fortress.

Simultaneously with the advance towards Beaufort Ridge, the Israeli army issued a large-scale evacuation order for residents south of the Zahrani River and north of the Litani River, within approximately 40 kilometers of the border. The warning stated that Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed armed group, was the target.

“

After 44 years of the 'Battle of Beaufort,' and on the day of commemorating the fallen soldiers of the 'Fifth Arab-Israeli War,' the army has returned to the peak of Beaufort and raised the Israeli flag again.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Saturday accused Israel of pursuing a "scorched earth policy and collective punishment" in southern Lebanon, calling for a cessation of hostilities. He warned that Israel was "destroying towns and villages, forcing residents into exile."

Military delegations from Israel and Lebanon held security talks in Washington on Friday, with further US-mediated negotiations expected next week. Mikati expressed uncertainty about the outcome of the talks but described them as the least costly path to peace for Lebanon and its people.

“

The Israeli army, under the direction of Prime Minister Netanyahu and myself, has crossed the Litani River and occupied Beaufort Ridge.