Israel captures – Israel’s military says it has captured the Crusader-era Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon after days of fierce fighting with Hezbollah. The IDF said the operation focused on securing the Beaufort Ridge and the Wadi al-Saluki area, aiming to dismantle Hezboll
For days, the fight around Beaufort has felt like it has been held up to a single question: who controls the ridge above the Litani River?
On Sunday, the Israeli military said it took the historic Beaufort Castle—an elevated, Crusader-built fortress that Israel hasn’t held for 26 years. The site sits near the city of Nabatiyeh, roughly 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) from the Israeli border.
In its statement. the Israel Defense Forces said “the operation is focused on establishing operational control of the Beaufort Ridge and the Wadi al-Saluki area. ” adding that it sought to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure in both areas. The IDF described the push as beginning “several days ago. ” when “a significant number of IDF ground soldiers commenced offensive operations aimed at expanding the Forward Defense Line.”.
From Beaufort Ridge, the IDF said, “Hezbollah terrorists managed military and combat activities and carried out numerous attacks.”
The castle has long been treated as more than a landmark. Built by the Crusaders on a high cliff overlooking the Litani River some 900 years ago, it has been considered a strategic site in southern Lebanon and has been occupied by Israeli forces during previous conflicts.
Lebanon’s information landscape, however, has shown the cost of that strategic value. On Saturday, the Lebanese state news agency NNA reported Israeli air raids and “intense bombardment” around the castle. Hezbollah also claimed it destroyed an Israeli tank near the castle.
Three days before that, the Arnoun Municipality denounced Israeli bombing in the area and urged international organizations to protect the castle, according to NNA.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framed the operation as a policy turning point. On Sunday. he lauded the capture. saying: “we returned to Beaufort stronger than ever.” He said Israeli forces “captured the Beaufort outpost” and that fighters “proudly raised the flag of the State of Israel and the flag of the Golani Brigade there.”.
Netanyahu added that the seizure of Beaufort is a “dramatic stage and a dramatic change in the policy we are leading.”
Beaufort carries international weight, too. UNESCO has described it as “as one of the best-preserved examples of medieval castles in the Near East.” In late 2024. UNESCO granted it provisional enhanced protection—the highest level of immunity against any attack or usage for military purposes—after Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon. UNESCO also said Beaufort was the site of intense fighting between the Israeli military and the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1982. when Israel occupied southern Lebanon. and that it sustained “significant damage” during the 18-year occupation before the Israeli military withdrew in 2000.
For weeks, the fighting has been expanding rather than settling. Despite a US-mediated ceasefire agreed by the Israeli and Lebanese governments in April. clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces have intensified. In recent days. Israel has expanded its operation. pushing deeper into Lebanon. and Netanyahu said on Friday that Israeli forces crossed the Litani River. which runs around 15-20 miles (30 kilometers) north of Israel’s border.
On Sunday. Netanyahu said: “now my directive is to deepen and expand our hold on areas that had been under Hezbollah’s control.” The IDF said in its statement that it had “expanded its operations against Hezbollah targets north of the river” and in “additional areas. ” and it has issued evacuation orders for villages north of the Litani in recent days.
The widening geography of the operation has also put broader diplomacy under strain. The intensifying combat between Israel and Hezbollah may put at risk any agreement between the United States and Iran. which is insisting that it include a ceasefire in Lebanon. US President Donald Trump told Netanyahu last week that he supported its “freedom of action against threats on all fronts. including Lebanon. ” an Israeli official told CNN.
Behind the flag-raising and the military language, Beaufort remains what it has always been to the people nearby: a fortress on a cliff, close enough to the frontline to make history feel immediate.
Israel Hezbollah Beaufort Castle Nabatiyeh Litani River IDF UNESCO ceasefire Wadi al-Saluki Beaufort Ridge Golani Brigade
Sounds like another castle takeover. Who cares about old rocks if people are dying.
They say they dismantled Hezbollah infrastructure but it always just turns into more fighting. Also “crusader-era” like that means anything now… feels like medieval vibes with modern weapons.
Wait so Israel hasn’t held it for 26 years, but they somehow “captured it” after days? That’s wild. And Beaufort Ridge… is that near the Litani River? I’m confused because every map I’ve seen changes names like Wadi al-Saluki.
This is just gonna keep escalating. I don’t even trust the IDF statements half the time, like they always claim it’s precision and “operational control.” Meanwhile Hezbollah “destroyed an Israeli tank” so now both sides are celebrating like it’s a video game. Also why is everyone talking about Crusader castles like it’s some trophy when Lebanon is the one getting bombed. International organizations aren’t doing anything, shocker.