By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a deeper military advance into southern Lebanon, signaling a major escalation in Israel’s campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement despite an active ceasefire agreement that was extended only weeks ago.
The announcement came after Israeli troops captured the historic Beaufort Castle, a commanding hilltop fortress overlooking large sections of southern Lebanon and northern Israel. The seizure marks the first time Israeli forces have controlled the site since their withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, ending an 18-year military presence in the country.
The latest developments underscore the fragility of the ceasefire reached in mid-April and highlight the growing risk that the conflict could further destabilize the region.
Expanding Military Operations
In a statement released Sunday, Netanyahu said he had instructed the Israeli military to broaden its ground operations in Lebanon.
“Our objective is to deepen and expand our grip on areas that were previously under Hezbollah control,” Netanyahu said, emphasizing that Israel intends to continue targeting Hezbollah positions and infrastructure.
Israeli forces had already established control over territory extending to Lebanon’s Litani River. Military operations are now reportedly pushing northward toward the Zaharani River, approximately 10 kilometers farther into Lebanese territory.
The Israeli military also issued new evacuation warnings for residents living south of the Zaharani River, indicating that additional combat operations could soon take place in the area.
Beaufort Castle’s Strategic Importance
The capture of Beaufort Castle represents both a symbolic and military achievement for Israel.
The 900-year-old fortress sits atop a mountain ridge that provides sweeping views of southern Lebanon and northern Israel. For decades, the area has been regarded as one of the most strategically valuable positions in the region because it offers a clear vantage point for monitoring troop movements and launching military operations.
Israeli military officials said the operation focused on securing the Beaufort Ridge and nearby Wadi al-Saluki region while dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure allegedly established with Iranian support.
Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Israeli troops would remain in control of the fortress as part of what Israel describes as a security zone in southern Lebanon.
“The campaign is not over,” Katz said. “We remain determined to break Hezbollah’s military power and ensure security for Israeli communities.”
Conflict Continues Despite Ceasefire
Although Israel and Lebanon agreed in May to extend a U.S.-brokered ceasefire by 45 days, hostilities have persisted.
Saturday saw one of the heaviest barrages of Hezbollah attacks since the truce took effect. Rockets and drones launched from Lebanon targeted northern Israeli communities, prompting school closures and emergency restrictions in several areas.
In recent weeks, Hezbollah has increasingly relied on low-cost kamikaze drones that are difficult to detect and intercept. Israeli officials say these attacks have killed several soldiers operating inside Lebanon.
The Israeli military reported that one Israeli soldier was killed during the latest operations around Beaufort Castle.
Growing Human Cost
The conflict, which erupted as a major spillover from the broader Iran-Israel confrontation, has inflicted a severe humanitarian toll on both sides of the border.
According to Lebanese government figures, more than 3,370 people have been killed in Lebanon since fighting intensified in early March. Israeli airstrikes and evacuation orders have forced more than 1.2 million Lebanese residents from their homes, creating one of the country’s largest displacement crises in recent years.
Israel says 24 soldiers and four civilians have been killed since the conflict escalated. Tens of thousands of residents in northern Israel have also been displaced due to ongoing rocket and drone attacks from Hezbollah.
Political Pressure Mounts
Netanyahu’s decision to intensify military operations comes amid increasing political pressure at home.
Former Israeli Prime Minister , who is expected to challenge Netanyahu in upcoming elections, has called for even stronger military action against Hezbollah. Bennett has advocated expanding strikes beyond southern Lebanon and targeting Hezbollah-linked areas in the outskirts of Beirut.
The debate reflects growing divisions within Israel over how far the country should go in confronting Hezbollah and securing its northern border.
Diplomatic Efforts Face New Challenges
The military escalation comes at a sensitive moment for international diplomacy.
Just days before the latest offensive, U.S. officials hosted Israeli and Lebanese defense representatives in Washington as part of ongoing efforts to transform the temporary ceasefire into a broader peace arrangement. The discussions also focused on proposals to weaken Hezbollah’s military capabilities and eventually disarm the group.
However, the renewed fighting and Israel’s push deeper into Lebanese territory could complicate those negotiations and raise concerns about a wider regional conflict.
Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah had not immediately commented on Israel’s latest advance. Nevertheless, analysts close to Hezbollah acknowledged that Israeli forces appear to be achieving some of their immediate military objectives on the ground.
As Israeli troops continue operating near key Hezbollah strongholds, including areas around the city of , the future of the ceasefire remains uncertain. With both sides continuing to exchange fire and military operations expanding, fears are growing that the conflict could enter a more dangerous and prolonged phase despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to contain it.
Source Reuters