Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a “dramatic shift in policy” in the ongoing invasion of Lebanon, with troops advancing ever-deeper into the country, and reaching points that are as far into Lebanon as they’ve gone in the past 26 years, with the capture of Beaufort Castle.
Crusader forces built Beaufort Castle, which overlooks the Litani River, in the mid 12th century, though the castle traded hands between Crusaders and local forces several times in the ensuing decades. It is described as one of the best condition such castles in the region, though its use as a military fortress for occupying 21st century forces is probably not great for it.
Netanyahu said the conquest of the castle proved Israel was more united and stronger than ever. France called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting over the matter, which was similarly condemned by Israeli officials, who said the meeting should focus on Hezbollah’s violation of the ceasefire.
Beaufort Castle, Nabatieh Governorate | Image from Wikimedia
Israeli troops are now well north of the Litani River, which during the invasion of March was presented as the whole region they intended to occupy. Israeli troops now occupy roughly one fifth of the entire country, and they continue to go deeper.
Defense Minister Israel Katz cited Israel’s conquest of the castle in the 1980s, in which the same IDF brigade captured the castle from the PLO during an invasion of Lebanon. They remained until 2000, when Israel ended that particular occupation of southern Lebanon.
Lebanese Premier Nawaf Salam called for an immediate ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. There is notionally a ceasefire in place there that’s been in place for over a month, though Israel continues to carry out attacks and expand their offensive, killing hundreds of additional people and conquering ever more territory.
