Israeli soldiers have taken control of a crucial hilltop in southern Lebanon, crowned by the historic Beaufort Castle, marking a significant move in the country’s military operations. The seizure, announced on Sunday, is part of one of the most extensive Israeli invasions in Lebanon in decades.
The historical site of Beaufort Castle has long been a focal point of contention between Israel and Hezbollah, the militant group backed by Iran. Memories of the tough battles fought during Israel’s nearly twenty-year occupation of southern Lebanon, which ended in 2000, remain poignant in both Israel and Lebanon.
Neither Hezbollah nor the Lebanese government provided an immediate comment on Israel’s recent military action. The conflict has renewed, with Hezbollah continuing its guerrilla tactics against the invading Israeli forces. There is ongoing discussion among Israeli leaders about reinstating a long-term “security belt” in Lebanon to counteract attacks from Hezbollah. An Israeli flag now flies over the Beaufort fortress.
“This is a dramatic step,” proclaimed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing the significance of the fort’s capture. He vowed that Israeli forces would keep advancing in Lebanon.
However, military analysts argue that this move may not prevent Hezbollah from launching rockets and drones at Israeli forces or cities. Haim Har-Zahav, an Israeli veteran who served in the occupied zone in the 1990s, suggested that recapturing Beaufort could lead Israel into a similar prolonged occupation and conflict, regarded by many as strategically problematic.
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