The Israeli army today announced the capture of the medieval castle of Beaufort, a strategic citadel that offers control over southern Lebanon and northern Israel. It is the first time Israeli forces have secured control of the castle, built in the 12th century by the Crusaders, since their withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000 after an 18-year occupation.
Bofor Castle has been under increased Unesco protection since 2024, and Lebanese Minister of Culture Yassan Salameh issued a statement to warn of the danger to the castle and other archaeological sites in southern Lebanon from Israeli military operations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the capture of Beaufort Castle was a “decisive turning point” in the Israeli army’s offensive in southern Lebanon.
“I have ordered the Chahal to expand operations in Lebanon. Our forces have crossed the Litani. They have taken control of strategic heights. They have taken the top of Beaufort. And now my instructions are to go deep and expand our control over the areas that were under Hezbollah control,” Netanyahu said in a video released by his office, adding: “The capture of Beaufort is a spectacular step and a decisive turning point.”
The Israeli army already controls the southern Lebanese zone up to the Litani River, 30 kilometres from the border, and now Israeli forces are advancing towards the Zahrani River, which is 10 kilometres to the north.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Kats said Israeli soldiers would keep control of Beaufort as part of Israel’s security zone in southern Lebanon.
“The campaign is not over yet. We are all determined to crush the power of Hezbollah.”
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam yesterday condemned Israel’s “scorched earth and collective punishment” policy, which “will bring it neither security nor stability”.
France has called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council after Israeli military forces seized the iconic Beaufort fortress in southern Lebanon, where the Israeli flag now flies, French diplomatic chief Jean-Noel Barrot said.
“I have called for an urgent convocation of the United Nations Security Council because, although we recognize in Israel, as in every country, the right of legitimate defense, defense against Hezbollah attacks (….) nothing can justify the prolongation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon and the (Israeli) occupation deeper and deeper into Lebanese territory,” Jean-Noel Barrot told the BFMTV television network.
“This is a major mistake by Israel because (…) this advance on Lebanese territory is not only contrary not only to Israel’s commitments, since we have had a ceasefire in Lebanon since April 17, but also to international law,” the French Foreign Minister said.
“Because every village that is bombed, every village that is occupied, every civilian that is killed strengthens Hezbollah,”
Jean-Noel Barrot warned that the continuation of Israeli operations against Hezbollah “also weakens” the momentum of an agreement between the US and Iran “that provides for a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon”.
