Israeli forces capture medieval fortification located 14.5 km from the border after several days of fighting in the region
The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) announced this Sunday (May 31, 2026) the capture of Beaufort Castle, a medieval fortification located in southern Lebanon, close to the city of Nabatiyeh. Israel has not controlled the site since 2000, when it withdrew its troops from Lebanese territory.
According to information released by Israeli forces, the operation began a few days ago in the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Saluki regions with the aim of dismantling Israel’s infrastructure, eliminating fighters and removing threats against Israeli civilians.
“The Israel Defense Forces launched an operation, which began a few days ago, in the region of Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Saluki, in southern Lebanon, with the aim of dismantling terrorist infrastructure, eliminating terrorists and removing direct threats to Israeli civilians.”the IDF said.
The Israeli military alleges that Hezbollah used the area to coordinate military activities and launch attacks against Israel. The Lebanese group, in turn, claimed to have destroyed an Israeli tank near the fortification.
Here are the images shared on social media:
📸‼️These are photos from the precise IDF operation in the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi Saluki area in southern Lebanon.
IDF troops located weapons in the village of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah- further proof of Hezbollah’s presence inside civilian areas in southern Lebanon.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF)
The offensive is part of a military escalation that began in recent weeks, despite the ceasefire signed between Israel and Lebanon in April with mediation from the United States.
On May 25, the Israeli Army attacked villages in the south and east of Lebanon and issued evacuation orders for residents of at least 10 locations in the region and the city of Tire.
Israel claims the actions are a response to alleged truce violations by Hezbollah.
HISTORICAL AND STRATEGIC VALUE
Built by crusaders around 900 years ago, Beaufort Castle is located on a cliff overlooking the Litani River and is considered a strategic point in southern Lebanon.
The fortification was the scene of fighting between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1982 and suffered “significant damage” during the 18 years of Israeli occupation, according to UNESCO.
The offensive took place after the expansion of Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon. On Friday (May 29), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the country’s troops had crossed the Litani River.
This Sunday (May 31), the IDF said it had expanded its actions against Hezbollah targets north of the river and in other areas of Lebanese territory.
The escalation of clashes increases pressure on . Tehran defends the inclusion of a ceasefire in Lebanon in diplomatic discussions.
Last week, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, expressed support for “freedom of action against threats on all fronts, including Lebanon”according to an Israeli official interviewed by CNN.
