The Israeli flag once again flies over the medieval Beaufort Castle (Qal'at al-Shaqif), built during the Crusader era and used as a base during the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon from 1982 to 2000.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement that Israel's takeover of Beaufort Castle marks a dramatic shift in Israel's campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
"Today we have returned to Beaufort in a different way. We have returned united, determined and stronger than ever," he said.
Want to remove threats
The statement comes after the Israeli military (IDF) crossed the Litani River, the informal border of Israeli presence in southern Lebanon, on Friday. The goal is to dismantle infrastructure built by Hezbollah, eliminate terrorists and remove threats to Israeli civilians, the IDF said on social media.
The military has urged Lebanese living south of the Zahrani River to evacuate and is warning that its attacks against Hezbollah are escalating.
"Residents of southern Lebanon, you must immediately move north of the Zahrani River," wrote the military's Arabic-speaking spokesman, Avichay Adraee, on X.
Warns of devastation
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Saturday accused Israel of engaging in “scorched earth tactics” in the south of the country, warning that the offensive was “destroying cities and villages and forcing their inhabitants into exile.”
Next week, the United States plans to hold negotiations with both countries in Washington. Salam says the results of the talks are not guaranteed, but that it is “the least costly path for our country and our people.”
Despite the ceasefire that has been in effect since April 17, Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire with each other almost daily, and both accuse the other side of violating it.
