Tel Aviv/Beirut, May 31, (dpa/GNA) – Israeli troops on Sunday, claimed to have taken control of the strategically located Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon for the first time in 26 years, during ground operations against the Hezbollah militia.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said troops had raised the Israeli colours on the highland stronghold, which an army spokesman described as a “symbol of Hezbollah’s arrogance.” A photo taken by a dpa reporter showed the national flag flying over the 12th century stone fortification.
Israel abandoned the site in 2000, after controlling it for around two decades, when it served as a military base. The army said it is now moving against other Hezbollah assets in the area, including rocket launch pads being used by the Iran-backed Shiite militia in its attacks.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke of a “dramatic turning point” in Israel’s operations. “We have broken through the barrier of fear,” he declared. Israel has established “security zones” beyond its borders to protect the population, said Netanyahu. He also pledged that Israel would take control of further areas previously under Hezbollah’s influence.Katz:
Troops will remain Posting on X, Katz added of the fall of the fortress: “This is a clear message to our enemies: anyone who threatens the citizens of Israel will lose their strategic positions one by one.” According to Israeli media, Katz said Israeli soldiers will remain at the location.
The stronghold is part of Israel’s so-called security zone in Lebanon, which the Lebanese leadership, in turn, describes as an occupation of Lebanese territory. Damaged by shelling earlier this year, the fortress built by Crusaders lies just north of the Litani River, behind which Hezbollah was supposed to withdraw under an agreement with Israel.
Commanding the surrounding terrain from a height of 700 metres above sea level, it has been used for centuries to maintain military control over the region. Until its capture on Sunday, it had threatened a vulnerable protrusion of Israel’s north-eastern border. The Israeli news website Walla reported that the army could now quickly detect Hezbollah movements from there and attack if necessary.
Israel’s military presence in the area would make the transport of militia fighters, ammunition and other supplies considerably more difficult. For Hezbollah, the loss of this position is a painful blow, Walla commented. Citing military sources, the Israeli broadcaster Kan reported that there had been clashes with Hezbollah as the location changed hands. It is unclear whether the ancient site was damaged in the latest fighting.
Built around 1137 by the contemporary king of Jerusalem, Beaufort is one of the region’s best-preserved medieval fortresses. The UN cultural organization UNESCO lists it as a cultural heritage site that enjoys outstanding protection.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, accused Israel of causing widespread destruction in southern Lebanon. According to the state news agency NNA, he decried the Israeli attacks as an “attempt to erase history.” The cost of the war to the Lebanese people is immense, and the country must not become a pawn in regional conflicts, Salam stressed.
An Israeli military spokesman on Sunday, urged residents in southern Lebanon to move north of the Zahrani River, some 40 kilometres north of the Israeli border. The last time such a widespread evacuation order was issued was shortly before the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon began in mid-April.
The Israeli army justified the order by citing Hezbollah attacks on Israel, and pledged to take decisive action against the militia in the area. In the morning, the Israeli army finally confirmed new attacks on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, including in the coastal city of Tyre.
The war with Iran has also led to a renewed escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. In mid-April, the Israeli and Lebanese governments agreed to a ceasefire, which has since been extended twice. Nevertheless, Hezbollah and Israel continue to engage in daily fighting and, at times, heavy attacks.
In Lebanon, official figures state that more than 3,200 people have been killed and over 9,800 injured in the ongoing conflict. The Ministry of Health does not distinguish between civilians and Hezbollah fighters in its tally.
On the Israeli side, 25 soldiers and a worker employed by the Israeli Ministry of Defence in southern Lebanon have been killed. Warning sirens sound in northern Israel. Meanwhile, sirens sounded repeatedly in northern Israel as the Israeli army again reported multiple instances of shelling from Lebanon, including rocket fire. Several projectiles were intercepted, the military said.
Hezbollah has recently carried out attacks deeper into Israel. On Saturday, for the first time since the ceasefire began, a rocket alert sounded in the city of Safed. According to the army, an Israeli soldier was killed in southern Lebanon. He reportedly died in a Hezbollah drone attack late on Saturday evening. Due to Hezbollah’s drone and rocket attacks, schools are currently closed for thousands of pupils in several towns in northern Israel.
GNA