Israel Seizes Beaufort Castle, Expands Lebanon Ground Operations

Israel has ordered the immediate evacuation of all residents south of the Zahrani River in southern Lebanon while its troops seized the medieval Beaufort Castle and raised their flag over the site. The moves come as part of an expanded ground operation against Hezbollah that crossed the Litani River for the first time since 2006.

Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee posted warnings on social media directing civilians to move north of the river at once, stating that anyone remaining in the area risked being killed. More than ten such displacement orders were issued in the prior twenty-four hours. The Zahrani River lies roughly forty kilometers from the border, placing additional Lebanese villages and towns under threat of strikes.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the capture of Beaufort Ridge as a key tactical gain. He said the site provides critical oversight for protecting communities in northern Israel and supporting Israeli forces. Katz noted that the operation eliminated thousands of fighters and secured hundreds of square kilometers of territory. He added that those who attack Israeli civilians would lose control of the land from which they operate.

The castle, built nine centuries ago, sits on high ground near Nabatieh, Lebanon's fifth-largest city. Israeli troops used it as a base during their earlier occupation of southern Lebanon that ended in 2000. Shelling could be heard and smoke rose from nearby areas as the flag was raised. One Israeli soldier was killed during the fighting on the ridge.

The advance follows heavy Hezbollah rocket and drone fire into northern Israel on Saturday, which prompted school closures. Israeli forces are also operating near Nabatieh to degrade launch sites and infrastructure that Hezbollah had built under Iranian guidance. Hundreds of projectiles had previously been fired from the ridge toward Israeli civilians and troops.

Lebanon's prime minister has called the broader campaign a scorched-earth policy. France has requested an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting to address the escalation. The operations continue even after a ceasefire was announced more than six weeks earlier in the wider regional conflict that began when Hezbollah joined attacks tied to the Iran confrontation.

The fresh evacuation orders and seizure of Beaufort mark a clear widening of the fighting beyond earlier limits. Residents in the affected zones now face the choice of leaving their homes or remaining under direct threat from advancing forces.