The Israeli military has captured the strategic site of Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a ‘decisive shift’ in its offensive against Hezbollah. The castle. Perched over the Litani valley. Has been a key stronghold since the Crusaders built it some 900 years ago, while the Israeli army captured it 44 years ago during the First Lebanon War.

Expanding Ground Operations

Ground troops are moving deeper into Lebanese territory beyond the original demarcation line of the Litani river, but the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have also increased the evacuation zone in southern Lebanon, urging residents to leave areas near Hezbollah’s operations.

In a statement on Sunday following the capture, Netanyahu said the move was a ‘decisive stage and decisive shift in our policy.’ He added, ‘We have broken the barrier of fear. We are taking the initiative. We are operating on all fronts – in Syria, in Gaza, in Lebanon.’.

Defence Minister Israel Katz noted that the Golani Brigade, which took the castle in 1982, has returned and raised the Israeli flag above it. For Israel, the capture is both symbolic and strategic.

Historical and Symbolic Significance

In 1982, Israeli forces occupied Beaufort Castle, which is located just 14.5 kilometers from the Israeli border. They withdrew in 2000 when they left their self-declared buffer zone in southern Lebanon. For the Lebanese, the castle’s capture is the latest historic landmark to be seized in recent days.

Lebanon’s prime minister, Nawaf Salam, accused Israel of a ‘scorched-earth policy and collective punishment’ in the south. France, which has historical ties with Lebanon, requested a meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the Israeli military operations.

Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot of France described the situation as a ‘major mistake for Israel.’ He added, ‘Nothing can justify the prolongation of [Israel’s] military operations in Lebanon and its increasingly deep occupation of Lebanese territory.’

Escalating Tensions and Ceasefire Violations

Israeli officials stated that Hezbollah’s attacks are violating the temporary ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon, which has been extended twice since it came into force last month. Lebanese officials, however, pointed to the Israeli strikes as the violations.

The mutual accusations mean the ceasefire is essentially in tatters, though a fourth round of negotiations between delegations from the two governments is scheduled to be held in Washington this week. Salam has said this is Lebanon’s only route away from the conflict, but Hezbollah is not involved.

Lebanon was drawn into the conflict between the US and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other, on 2 March when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in retaliation for an Israeli strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Israel responded with an air campaign across Lebanon and a ground invasion.

Since then, the Lebanese authorities say more than 3,300 people have been killed, while there have been 25 Israeli military deaths. On Sunday, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported 13 hospital staff injured in an airstrike near Hiram hospital in Tyre, southern Lebanon, causing significant damage. The military also confirmed another soldier had been killed.

On Saturday, Hezbollah fired some 25 projectiles towards the area, prompting calls from Israeli opposition politicians for the government to do more to ensure the safety of residents. Schools on the Israeli side of the border have been closed as a precaution.