Israeli forces captured the Beaufort Ridge and issued new evacuation warnings in southern Lebanon as fighting with Hezbollah intensified despite an April truce that has failed to hold.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Israel expanded its ground operation in southern Lebanon on Sunday, raising its flag over the medieval Beaufort fortress as troops pushed deeper into territory that Israeli officials described as strategically important for protecting northern Israel.
The Israeli banner was visible above the castle as shelling could be heard and smoke rose from nearby areas. The fortress, located on Beaufort Ridge, was used by Israeli forces during Israel’s previous occupation of southern Lebanon, which lasted two decades.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said troops had taken control of the historic site as the military widened its campaign against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group. The move came as Israel ordered Lebanese civilians to leave a broad area in the south ahead of expanded operations.
“Forty-four years after the heroic Battle of Beaufort, and on this day commemorating the soldiers who fell in the First Lebanon War, our troops have returned to the summit of Beaufort and once again raised the Israeli flag there,” Katz said in a social media post.
Katz said the operation was carried out under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his direction.
“Under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and my direction, the IDF 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,” Katz said.
The advance to Beaufort was accompanied by a sweeping evacuation warning from the Israeli military for areas south of the Zahrani River, north of the Litani River and about 40 kilometers, or 25 miles, from the border. The military said it was targeting Hezbollah positions and warned civilians to move away from areas tied to the group.
“Anyone present near Hezbollah elements, facilities, or combat means endangers their life. Any building used by Hezbollah for military purposes may become subject to targeting!” Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a social media post.
Israel’s military said a large number of ground troops had begun offensive operations to expand what it called the Forward Defense Line.
“A significant number of IDF ground soldiers commenced offensive operations aimed at expanding the Forward Defense Line… The operation is currently expanding to additional areas,” the military said.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned Israel’s campaign Saturday, accusing it of carrying out a “scorched-earth policy and collective punishment” in southern Lebanon. Salam said the fighting was “destroying towns and villages, and forcing their inhabitants into exile,” and called for the violence to stop.
Security talks between Israeli and Lebanese military delegations were held Friday in Washington, with additional U.S.-brokered negotiations expected next week. Salam said the result of those talks was “not guaranteed,” but described diplomacy as “the least costly path for our country and our people.”
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah formally began April 17, but it has not been observed. Israel and Hezbollah have each accused the other of daily violations and have justified attacks as responses to alleged breaches.
A U.S. statement after Friday’s Israel-Lebanon talks did not mention the ceasefire but said the “productive military-to-military discussions” would help shape next week’s political meeting.
Hezbollah has strongly opposed direct talks.
The group said Saturday it carried out multiple attacks against northern Israel and clashed with Israeli troops in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah said it was confronting Israeli forces near Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Yohmor al-Shaqif and Dibbine, and said the troops “had not yet succeeded in taking control of the towns.”
The Israeli military said more than 25 projectiles were fired from Lebanon toward Israel on Saturday. According to the army’s Home Front Command, air raid sirens sounded in Karmiel and Safed for the first time since the ceasefire began.
Public broadcaster Kan aired social media footage showing rockets falling into the sea off Nahariya, near the Lebanese border, as beachgoers fled.
Israel’s military said Sunday that a soldier was killed the previous day by a Hezbollah explosive drone. The death brought the number of Israeli military fatalities in Lebanon since early March to 25.
Lebanon’s health ministry says Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,371 people since March 2.