Israel has captured Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon as its troops push further into the country, intensifying a ground campaign that has drawn criticism from European governments and raised concerns over the fate of an already fragile ceasefire.
The medieval fortress, known locally as Qalaat al-Shaqif, overlooks the Litani valley and has long been valued for its strategic position. Israeli forces previously occupied the site during the 1982 Lebanon war before withdrawing from southern Lebanon in 2000.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the capture as “a decisive stage and decisive shift in our policy,” saying Israel intended to expand its presence in areas previously controlled by Hezbollah.
The advance comes as the Israeli military widens its operations beyond the Litani river. Residents across a broader area south of the Zahrani river have been instructed to leave their homes, marking the second evacuation warning issued for the region in recent days.
The Israel Defense Forces said its troops were operating in additional areas as part of efforts to dismantle Hezbollah positions and reduce attacks on Israeli communities near the border.
The latest escalation has prompted calls for restraint from the UK, France, and Germany. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the fighting had killed and displaced civilians, damaged infrastructure, and weakened prospects for diplomacy.
“It must end,” she wrote on X, while also calling on Hezbollah to stop its attacks and disarm.
France has requested a United Nations Security Council meeting to discuss the situation. President Emmanuel Macron said “it is urgent that the weapons fall silent – all of them, and for good.”
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel of pursuing a “scorched-earth policy and collective punishment” in the south.
The humanitarian toll has continued to rise. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said 13 hospital workers were injured after an air strike near Hiram hospital in Tyre caused significant damage. Israel has also reported further military casualties, while schools in several northern communities have been closed as a precaution.
Both Israel and Lebanon have accused the other side of violating the temporary ceasefire. Further talks are expected in Washington this week, although Hezbollah is not directly involved in the negotiations.