Israel Has Captured A Historic Castle In Lebanon, Marking Its Deepest Push Into The Country Since 2000
Netanyahu called it a "dramatic turning point" in the Israeli military’s invasion of Lebanon.
Israel's military has seized Lebanon’s historic Beaufort Castle, a medieval hilltop fortress in southern Lebanon, marking Israel’s deepest push into the country since 2000.
Beaufort Castle, meaning “beautiful fortress" in Old French, is a 900-year-old stone fortress built by crusaders in the 12th century, perched about 700 meters (2,300 ft) above sea level in southern Lebanon, near the city of Nabatieh.
UNESCO has described it as one of the best-preserved examples of medieval castles in the Near East.
Its location makes it one of the most strategically valuable positions in southern Lebanon as the castle gives a view across southern Lebanon, northern Israel, the western Bekaa Valley and the occupied Golan Heights.
In 1982, Israel's military captured Beaufort Castle from the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) during a broader invasion of Lebanon.
Israel held the castle for 18 years as part of what it called a "security zone" in southern Lebanon and withdrew in 2000.
On the night of May 30, Israeli forces seized the Beaufort ridge after days of airstrikes and intense fighting with Hezbollah in the surrounding villages, and hung Israeli flags, including that of the Golani Brigade, the unit that led the assault, on the top of the castle.
Israel's military said the operation aimed to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure and secure the high ground close to the border.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a "dramatic turning point" in the Israeli military’s invasion of Lebanon.
"We have returned to Beaufort united, determined and stronger than ever," Netanyahu said.
Israeli defense minister Israel Katz said Israeli troops "will remain there as part of the security zone in Lebanon," according to the Times of Israel.
Israeli forces are now about five kilometers from Nabatieh, southern Lebanon's fifth-largest city, and have ordered its residents to evacuate.
Israel has also issued evacuation orders for Tyre, Lebanon's fourth-largest city, and its surroundings.
Israel now occupies about 2,000 square kilometers of Lebanese territory, roughly one-fifth of the country, according to Al Jazeera.
Cherry Mohamed
Sofia Hou
Cherry Mohamed
