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  "path": "/partner/israel-captures-beaufort-castle-lebanon",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-31T11:17:22.000Z",
  "site": "https://nukta.com",
  "tags": [
    "south Lebanon",
    "condemned"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\n\nIsrael's flag flew over the medieval Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon on Sunday as the Israeli military expanded its ground operations and ordered civilians to evacuate a large area of the south.\n\nThe push marked Israel's deepest military incursion into the country in 26 years, with troops crossing the Litani River for the first time in the current campaign.\n\n### What is the significance of Israel capturing Beaufort Castle?\n\nBeaufort Castle is a Crusader-era fortress commanding sweeping views of south Lebanon and the Galilee region of northern Israel. Israel held it as a military base during its previous 22-year occupation, which ended in 2000.\n\nSeizing it again gives Israeli forces a commanding strategic position over a wide stretch of southern Lebanon, and carries symbolic weight for both sides.\n\n### How far has Israel pushed into Lebanon?\n\nIsraeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that troops had captured Beaufort Ridge, which he described as \"one of the most important strategic points for defending the communities of the Galilee.\"\n\nThe incursion extended north of the Litani River, roughly 40 kilometers from the Israeli border. Shelling was audible around the castle, and smoke rose from the surrounding area as AFP correspondents observed the Israeli flag above its battlements.\n\nKatz framed the operation as a continuation of the First Lebanon War, posting on social media that troops had \"returned to the summit of Beaufort\" 44 years after the original battle.\n\nSpeaking at a military ceremony, he said the Lebanon campaign had achieved the elimination of thousands of militants and the seizure of hundreds of square kilometers. He warned that those who harm Israeli civilians \"will lose their territory from which they operate.\"\n\n### What evacuation orders did Israel issue in Lebanon?\n\nThe Israeli military issued a sweeping evacuation order covering areas south of the Zahrani River and north of the Litani, warning it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure across the zone.\n\nMilitary spokesman Avichay Adraee said any building used by Hezbollah for military purposes could be targeted. Lebanon's state news agency reported strikes on the outskirts of the southern city of Tyre, including near a hospital, and said civil defense workers received phone calls from the Israeli army ordering them to evacuate.\n\n### How has Lebanon's government responded to the ground offensive?\n\nLebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who condemned the operation as a \"scorched-earth policy and collective punishment,\" called for an immediate halt to the fighting on Saturday.\n\nHe said Israel was destroying towns and villages and forcing residents into exile. Salam acknowledged that US-brokered security talks held in Washington on Friday, with further negotiations planned for the following week, were \"the least costly path\" for Lebanon, though he said the outcome was \"not guaranteed.\"\n\n### Is there a ceasefire in place between Israel and Hezbollah?\n\nA truce officially took effect April 17, but neither side has observed it. Israel and Hezbollah accuse each other daily of violations, with each citing the other's alleged breaches to justify continued attacks.\n\nA US statement following Friday's Israel-Lebanon talks made no mention of the truce, describing the discussions only as \"productive military-to-military\" exchanges that would inform next week's political meeting. Hezbollah has vehemently opposed the direct talks.\n\n### What are the latest casualties from the conflict?\n\nOn Sunday, Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli army positions and infrastructure in Shlomi and Nahariya in northern Israel, with air raid sirens sounding in the Acre area. The Israeli military reported that more than 25 projectiles were launched from Lebanon on Saturday, triggering alerts in Karmiel and Safed for the first time since the ceasefire.\n\nOne Israeli soldier was killed by a Hezbollah explosive drone the previous day, bringing Israeli military deaths in Lebanon to 25 since early March. Lebanon's health ministry says Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,371 people since March 2.",
  "title": "Israel plants flag on Beaufort Castle in deepest Lebanon incursion in 26 years"
}