IDF captures strategic Beaufort Castle in south Lebanon amid push against Hezbollah

Israeli troops have captured the strategic Crusader-built Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, the military announces, as the IDF further expands its ground offensive against Hezbollah.

The IDF says that it launched a ground operation in the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi Saluki stream area in recent days, “to destroy [Hezbollah] infrastructure and eliminate terrorists, as part of strengthening operational control in southern Lebanon and removing the direct threat to the Galilee Panhandle and Metula,” as well as to “expand the forward defense line.”

Soldiers crossed the Litani River’s 90-degree bend, just across from the border community of Metula, and advanced toward the castle, which overlooks the Galilee Panhandle in northern Israel, as well as the Nabatieh area in southern Lebanon.

The IDF says it expanded its strikes in areas north of the Litani River, and the operation is also “expanding to additional areas at this time.”

The Beaufort and Wadi Saluki area is home to “significant” Hezbollah infrastructure, which the IDF says was established with Iranian assistance, “from which Hezbollah terrorists managed the fighting and carried out numerous terror attacks.”

Hundreds of rockets have also been fired from the area at Israel and troops in southern Lebanon, according to the military.

“The IDF is operating near Nabatieh, a significant Hezbollah stronghold in southern Lebanon, and is prepared to expand the offensive as required,” the military says.

Ahead of the ground offensive, the Israeli Air Force carried out “massive” strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in the area. Artillery and tank shelling were also conducted.

The IDF says it also struck “commanding terrain, searched for and neutralized military infrastructure in the Litani area, and conducted essential engineering activities to create the conditions required for the offensive operation.”