Kochi: Israel has captured the Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describing it as a “decisive shift” in its offensive against Hezbollah.
“Anyone present near Hezbollah elements, facilities or means of combat endangers their life,” BBC reported quoting an Israel Defense Force (IDF) spokesman.
“Perched over the Litani valley, Beaufort Castle has been key to controlling the region around it since the Crusaders built it some 900 years ago. The Israeli army captured it 44 years ago in what’s known in Israel as the First Lebanon War.
“We have broken the barrier of fear. We are taking the initiative, we are operating on all fronts – in Syria, in Gaza, in Lebanon,” Netanyahu said.
Defence Minister Israel Katz recalled the battle 44 years ago against the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) – one of the first of the Lebanon war.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister has accused Israel of carrying out “collective punishment”.
Israel has warned residents to leave the entire south of Lebanon below the Zahrani river.
This is the third time Israel has captured the region with the first time being in 1978, second time in 1982 and the latest in 2026.
In all earlier occasions, Israel vacated due to international pressure and mutual agreements which were subsequently breached by Lebanon.
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