‘We’ve returned stronger than ever’: Netanyahu hails capture of Beaufort Castle in Lebanon, vows ‘dramatic shift’ in policy on Hezbollah

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrates the IDF’s recent capture of Lebanon’s historic Beaufort Castle and the surrounding strategic ridge, calling it “a dramatic shift” in Israeli policy as forces push deeper into southern Lebanon amid an expanding ground offensive against Hezbollah.

“The capture of Beaufort is a dramatic stage and a dramatic shift in the policy we are leading,” Netanyahu says in a video message released by his office, adding, “Now my directive is to deepen and expand our hold on areas that had been under Hezbollah’s control.”

The prime minister releases the statement as Hezbollah pounds northern Israel with relentless rocket and drone fire from Lebanon.

Netanyahu recalls that the landmark site “became a symbol of deep division within our society” after Israeli troops captured the castle in one of the first battles of the First Lebanon War in 1982. Israel held the position throughout its 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon, withdrawing in 2000 after years of grinding conflict that cost hundreds of Israeli lives.

“Today, we have returned to Beaufort differently. We have returned united, determined, and stronger than ever,” Netanyahu says. “We have broken through the barrier of fear. We are taking the initiative. We are operating on all fronts — in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon. We have established security zones beyond our borders in order to protect our communities.”

Netanyahu adds that Israel has eliminated 8,000 Hezbollah terrorists since the Iran-backed group began attacking Israel following the Hamas-led invasion and massacre in October 2023 that sparked the war in Gaza. Three thousand of those operatives were killed since the start of Israel’s war against Iran last June, and seven hundred were killed since last month, Netanyahu says.

“It will take time, but we will complete the mission,” he says.

Thirteen Israelis have been killed since a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was announced in mid-April, with the most recent fatality a soldier killed by a Hezbollah drone last night.