4TEL AVIV, Israel, May 31 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israeli forces have captured Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon and directed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to expand military operations in the area despite an existing ceasefire between the two sides.
“Last night, our heroic fighters captured the Beaufort Castle. They proudly raised the flag of the State of Israel and the flag of the Golani Brigade there,” Netanyahu said in a televised address.
“I remind you that 44 years ago, this place was a symbol of a heroic battle by our fighters, but it was also a symbol of deep division among us. Today, we returned to Beaufort differently. We returned united, determined, and stronger than ever,” he added.
Netanyahu described the capture as a significant development in Israel’s military campaign and said it reflected the unity and determination of Israeli forces.
The prime minister said the IDF had crossed the Litani River, secured strategically important terrain, and was now tasked with expanding control over areas previously held by Hezbollah.
He said military operations were continuing on multiple fronts, including Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon, and characterized the capture of Beaufort as a major step in Israel’s security strategy.
“Since the beginning of the War of Redemption, we have eliminated 8,000 Hezbollah terrorists. Since Operation Roaring Lion, 3,000. In the past month alone, 700. This is more than we eliminated during the Second Lebanon War,” Netanyahu said.
“I have instructed the IDF to expand the incursion in Lebanon. Our forces have crossed the Litani River. They took dominant terrain. They captured the Beaufort Ridge. And now my instruction is to deepen and expand our hold on places that were under Hezbollah’s control,” he added.
“The capture of Beaufort is a dramatic stage and a dramatic change in the policy we are leading. We have broken the barrier of fear. We are taking the initiative; we are operating on all fronts—in Syria, in Gaza, and in Lebanon. We have established security zones beyond our borders to protect our communities.”
The announcement followed an IDF statement confirming that operations began several days ago in the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Saluki area of southern Lebanon. According to the military, the operation aims to dismantle militant infrastructure and eliminate threats to Israeli communities in the Galilee Panhandle and Metula.
The IDF said the campaign involved extensive preparatory airstrikes, artillery and tank fire, and engineering operations designed to secure strategic terrain and neutralize Hezbollah infrastructure.
According to the military, the offensive is intended to expand the forward defense line, reduce Hezbollah’s operational capabilities, and eliminate launch sites used in attacks against Israeli civilians and military personnel.
Israeli forces are now operating near Nabatieh, which the military described as a major Hezbollah stronghold in southern Lebanon, and officials indicated that operations could be expanded further if necessary.
“It will take time, but we will complete the mission,” Netanyahu said, reaffirming Israel’s commitment to restoring security along its northern border.
The developments come days after Netanyahu directed the military to expand its control over parts of the Gaza Strip. Speaking during an interview at a conference in the West Bank, Netanyahu said Israel currently controls about 60 percent of Gaza and intends to increase that figure.
“We are now in 60 percent of the territory of the Gaza Strip. We were at 50 percent. We moved to 60 percent. My directive is to move to—take it step by step—first of all 70,” Netanyahu said.
According to CNN, expanding Israeli control would further compress nearly two million Palestinians into a smaller portion of the territory. Earlier reports indicated that the IDF had provided maps to aid organizations showing Israeli control over approximately 64 percent of Gaza. (ANI)
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