Israel Captures Beaufort Castle in Southern Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces have taken control of Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the capture of the site as a “decisive breakthrough” in the offensive against Hezbollah, according to the BBC.

Beaufort Castle sits on high ground overlooking the Litani River valley, about 14.5 km from the Israeli border. Controlling this position provides broad surveillance over the surrounding area.

The castle is both strategically and symbolically important, with a military history spanning nearly 900 years.

The Crusaders built it in the 12th century to control key trade and military routes in the region and has remained an important defensive position throughout history.

The modern military history of the site is directly linked to the Arab-Israeli conflict, as Israel captured the castle 44 years ago. In 1982, during the First Lebanon War, Israeli forces expelled fighters of the Palestine Liberation Organization from the fortress.

At that time, as now, the assault on the castle was performed by soldiers of the Golani Infantry Brigade, who, after successfully taking the position, once again raised the Israeli flag over it. Israeli forces held Beaufort as part of their security zone until 2000, when they fully withdrew from southern Lebanon.