Israeli forces have pushed deeper into southern Lebanon, seizing control of the historic Beaufort Castle as part of an ongoing ground operation. The advance, confirmed by military officials Thursday, marks a significant escalation in the weekslong campaign against Hezbollah positions near the border.
The Capture of Beaufort Castle
Israeli troops took the hilltop fortress, a strategic vantage point that overlooks the Litani River valley and parts of northern Israel. The castle, which dates back to the Crusades, has changed hands multiple times in past conflicts. Hezbollah fighters had used it as a lookout and staging area for rocket attacks, according to Israeli intelligence assessments.
Military engineers secured the site and cleared tunnels beneath the structure. No immediate comment came from Hezbollah or Lebanese government officials.
Pressure on Ceasefire Prospects
Deepening the incursion complicates already fragile efforts to broker a diplomatic solution. U.S. and French mediators had been working on a framework that would require Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah to pull back north of the Litani River. The capture of Beaufort Castle and continued ground operations make a quick withdrawal less likely.
Lebanese political sources said the offensive weakens the government's ability to negotiate. The army has stayed on the sidelines, but the push deeper into sovereign territory raises questions about how far Israel intends to go before stopping.
International Condemnation Grows
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed concern over the widening operation. Several European governments issued statements calling for restraint, warning that the escalation could trigger a broader regional war. France, which has historical ties to Lebanon, urged both sides to return to the 2006 ceasefire resolution.
Arab League diplomats met in Cairo to discuss a joint response. Their statement condemned the incursion but stopped short of specific measures. The Biden administration has privately urged Israel to limit the ground campaign's scope, though publicly it continues to back Israel's right to self-defense.
The question now is how the diplomatic track will survive this escalation. With Israeli troops holding Beaufort Castle and pushing toward the Litani, mediators face an uphill battle to get both sides back to the table.
