Israel captures strategic Beaufort Fort in deepest Lebanon incursion in 26 years
Israeli forces Sunday claimed to have captured the 900-year-old Beaufort Fort (Qalaat al-Shaqif) and its strategic ridge in southern Lebanon after increasing its operations throughout the Litani River, Reuters and the Related Press reported.
The seize marks their deepest incursion into Lebanon in over 1 / 4 century, the army mentioned in its assertion. Positioned close to the town of Nabatiyeh, the citadel was final captured by Israel in 1982. Its army held it till they withdrew from Lebanon in 2000.
Israeli army’s assertion
In an announcement, the Israeli army mentioned that it launched an operation a number of days in the past within the Beaufort Ridge and the Suluki valley additional south, aiming to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure and take away “direct threats to Israeli civilians”.
The assertion added that the military is prepared “to broaden the operation if wanted.”
The army’s development into the Beaufort Fort has granted Israeli troops an overlook level over a lot of southern Lebanon and northern Israel, from the place Hezbollah had launched a number of assaults in the direction of Israeli residential areas, Reuters famous.
Hezbollah “carried out quite a few assaults,” from the Ridge, the army said, as quoted by the information company.
Story continues beneath this advert
It added that Israeli troops have been working in opposition to launch infrastructure within the space, from which “a whole bunch of projectiles have been launched towards Israeli civilians and IDF troopers.”
Israeli ministers hail seize
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz Sunday hailed it as a “strategic” victory for “the defence of the Galilee communities and sustaining the safety of our forces.” He mentioned they’d raised an Israeli flag over the Crusader-built citadel.
Over a publish on Telegram, Katz mentioned that combating is underway whereas promising to proceed efforts to weaken Hezbollah and safe Israel’s northern border.
Furthermore, the Israeli military’s Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee additionally shared {a photograph} on X, which confirmed Israeli troops strolling exterior the citadel.
Story continues beneath this advert
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, in the meantime, praised the seize as a restoration of previous “sins”.
Over a publish on X. Smotrich wrote: “We promised the heroic residents of the north lasting safety, and we’re performing with willpower to attain this.” “The return to Beaufort is an expression of correcting previous nationwide sins and distorted perceptions.”
Israel’s safety is fortified by energy, not by give up and withdrawal. We promised the heroic residents of the north safety for a very long time and we’re working with willpower to attain this.
The return to Beaufort is an expression of correcting previous nationwide sins and distorted perceptions.
We fled Lebanon and accepted the Second Lebanon catastrophe and the strengthening of Hezbollah to monstrous proportions… pic.twitter.com/ojpZuA9Yea
— Bezalel Smotrich (@bezalelsm) Could 31, 2026
The Hezbollah or the Lebanese authorities has but commented on the event.
Israel-Hezbollah struggle replace
Israeli troops have been advancing for days in villages near the Beaufort citadel after it crossed the Litani River, the AP report famous.
The Litani river has acted as a de facto boundary for the Israeli army beforehand. The army officers are actually about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the town of Nabatiyeh, a significant middle in southern Lebanon, based on the information report.
Story continues beneath this advert
They’ve referred to as on all of the residents of Nabatiyeh and the coastal metropolis of Tyre, and its environmentto vacate.
The struggle between Israel and Hezbollah started on March 2, when the latter fired rockets into northern components of Israel. It adopted the joint army marketing campaign by the US and Israel in opposition to its supporter, Iran.
Israel has since launched a floor operation, capturing many Lebanese villages and cities near the border. The incursion has left 3,350 folks lifeless in Lebanon and over 1 million folks displaced, the AP report highlighted.
