Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz says that the Israeli military has captured the historic and strategic Beaufort castle in southern Lebanon and raised the Israeli flag over it.
Speaking today (Sunday, June 1), Katz said that, under the orders of Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu, the Israeli army expanded its ground operations in Lebanon, crossed the Litani raver, and seized the Beaufort mountain range and Beaufort Castle.
He added that the area is one of the most important strategic positions for defending the Galilee settlements and ensuring the security of Israeli forces.
The Israeli defense minister claimed that Israeli troops have returned to Beaufort Castle 44 years after the First Lebanon War in 1982.
The Israeli military has expanded its ground operations in southern Lebanon despite being under a ceasefire agreement with the Lebanese government. The next round of negotiations between the two sides, mediated by the United States, is expected to take place in the coming days.
Beaufort Castle, known among local residents as Qalaat alـShaqif(Castle of Shaqif), is a historic and strategic fortress that overlooks large parts of southern Lebanon and northern Israel. During the First Lebanon–Israel War, it was considered one of the key strategic positions in the region.
The castle, which dates back to the 12th century, continues to hold significant strategic importance due to its location and its ability to provide control over large areas of southern Lebanon.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
