In brief
Israeli troops seized the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle and its ridge near Nabatieh, gaining an overlook point over southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
The advance marks Israel's deepest push into Lebanon since its withdrawal in 2000, with troops crossing the Litani River for the first time since 2006.
The operation occurred despite a nominal ceasefire in effect since April 17, with Hezbollah firing one of its heaviest barrages into northern Israel on Saturday.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel of collective punishment as displacement orders were issued for residents south of the Zahrani River.
The escalation comes days before the next round of direct Israel-Lebanon talks at the State Department on June 2-3.
- 30 MayOne of the heaviest days of Hezbollah fire toward northern Israel since the April ceasefire.
- 31 MayIsraeli troops capture Beaufort Castle and ridge; troops cross the Litani River.
- 2 JunNext round of direct Israel-Lebanon talks scheduled at the U.S. State Department.
The capture of Beaufort Castle
Israeli troops seized the 12th-century Beaufort Castle near the city of Nabatieh after days of intense fighting and airstrikes in nearby villages. The operation, focused on establishing control of the Beaufort Ridge and the Wadi al-Saluki area, aimed to degrade Hezbollah militia infrastructure established under Iranian direction. The military said Hezbollah "carried out numerous attacks" from the ridge, from which "hundreds of projectiles were launched toward Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers."
“Under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and my direction, the [Israeli military] expanded the operations in Lebanon, crossed the Litani River, and captured the Beaufort Ridge - one of the most important strategic points for defending the communities of the Galilee and safeguarding the security of our forces.”
The advance grants Israeli troops an overlook point over much of southern Lebanon and northern Israel. One Israeli soldier was killed, the military confirmed, bringing the total number of Israeli soldiers killed since the current round of fighting escalated on March 2 to 25.
A deepening footprint despite ceasefire
The capture deepens Israel's footprint in Lebanon as the Israel-Hezbollah military front remains active even as a parallel ceasefire holds in the wider Iran war. The nominal truce has been in effect since April 17, yet Saturday saw one of the heaviest days of Hezbollah fire toward northern Israel since that ceasefire, prompting school closures and restrictions.
“A scorched-earth policy.”
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam denounced Israel's invasion, accusing it of imposing "collective punishment" on residents of southern Lebanon. Israel has also issued more than 10 displacement orders in the previous 24 hours, instructing all residents living south of the Zahrani River to move immediately north.
Historical echoes and strategic significance
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz noted that troops returned to the Beaufort peak 44 years after the heroic battle there during the First Lebanon War in 1982. Israeli forces previously held the castle for 18 years until withdrawing from Lebanon in 2000. The fortress, built in the 13th century, dominates southern Lebanon and has long been a symbol of resistance for many Lebanese.
Israeli military Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee posted a photograph on X showing Israeli troops walking outside the castle. AFP images captured the Israeli flag flying above the fortress while artillery fire resounded and smoke rose around it.
Expanding operations and diplomatic context
The Israeli military stated it launched the operation days ago in Beaufort Ridge and the Suluki valley further south with the aim of dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure and eliminating "direct threats to Israeli civilians." The statement added that the army is prepared "to expand the operation, if necessary." In recent days, Israel has expanded its area of operations in Lebanon, sending troops across the Litani River, which previously served as a de facto border.
Israel and Lebanon, which have been in a state of war since Israel's creation in 1948, are currently holding direct talks in Washington. The next round of discussions is scheduled to take place at the State Department on June 2 and 3. Hezbollah entered the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran by firing rockets and drones into Israel on March 2, days after the Iran conflict began.