In brief
Israeli forces seized the medieval Beaufort Castle, crossed the Litani River, and raised the Israeli flag over the site.
Prime Minister Netanyahu described the capture as a "decisive turning point" and ordered expanded operations against Hezbollah.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot requested an emergency session, calling the deepening occupation a "major mistake."
The advance breaches the ceasefire in place since April 17, raising fears of wider escalation.
The operation occurred 44 years after the 1982 battle for Beaufort and on the commemoration day for fallen soldiers of the First Lebanon War.
- 6 JunFirst Lebanon War begins; battle for Beaufort Castle takes place.
- 24 MayIsrael ends its two-decade occupation of southern Lebanon, withdrawing from Beaufort.
- 17 AprCeasefire between Israel and Hezbollah comes into effect.
- 31 MayIsraeli forces seize Beaufort Castle, cross the Litani River, and raise the Israeli flag.
The capture of Beaufort
Israeli forces have seized the iconic medieval Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, a strategic Crusader-era fortress that overlooks large swaths of the country's south. The operation, confirmed on Sunday by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, involved crossing the Litani River and taking control of the Beaufort ridge. Images from AFP showed the Israeli flag flying over the fortress on Sunday morning, with artillery fire heard and smoke rising from the surrounding area.
“Under the direction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and under my direction, the army has expanded its operations in Lebanon, crossed the Litani River and taken the Beaufort ridge — one of the most important strategic points for defending the Galilee localities and preserving the security of our soldiers.”
A decisive turning point
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the capture as a "decisive turning point" in the offensive against the pro-Iranian Hezbollah. In a video released by his office, Netanyahu stated he had ordered the IDF to expand operations in Lebanon, with forces crossing the Litani and seizing strategic heights. He added that his instructions were now to deepen and extend control over areas previously held by Hezbollah.
“The capture of Beaufort is a spectacular step and a decisive turning point.”
Historical echoes
The fortress carries deep symbolic weight for Israel. It was used as a base during Israel's two-decade occupation of southern Lebanon, which ended in 2000. Katz noted that the operation occurred forty-four years after the "heroic battle of Beaufort" and on the commemoration day for soldiers fallen in the First Lebanon War of 1982. The IDF's Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, published a photo on X showing Israeli soldiers walking near the fortress.
France demands urgent UN meeting
France reacted swiftly, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announcing he had requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Barrot acknowledged Israel's right to self-defense against Hezbollah attacks but condemned the deepening occupation of Lebanese territory, calling it a "major mistake" contrary to Israel's commitments under the ceasefire in place since April 17, as well as international law and Israel's own security interests.
“Nothing can justify the prolongation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon and its increasingly deep occupation of Lebanese territory.”
Ceasefire under strain
The advance comes despite a ceasefire that has been in effect since April 17. The operation marks a significant escalation, with Israeli forces now positioned deeper inside Lebanese territory than at any point since the 2000 withdrawal. The international reaction, led by France, signals growing alarm over the potential for a wider conflict.