Israel captures strategic castle in Lebanon amid widening ground operations
By BBC, May 31, 2026The Israeli military has increased the zone in southern Lebanon that it has warned residents to evacuate from, as it further expands its ground operations against Hezbollah.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reiterated its warning to everyone south of the Zahrani river to leave.
“Anyone present near Hezbollah elements, facilities or means of combat endangers their life,” a spokesman said.
The warning came shortly after the army confirmed it had taken Beaufort Castle, a strategic point on a high ridge above the Litani River. Every day brings a new expansion in Israel’s war against Hezbollah.
The latest evacuation warning is the second time in recent days that Israel has told residents to leave the entire south of the country below the Zahrani river.
The IDF spokesman said that a “significant number of IDF ground soldiers” were involved in the operation, which was “currently expanding to additional areas”. It’s another clear indication that Israeli ground forces are moving ever deeper into Lebanese territory beyond their original demarcation line of the Litani River.
Military advances and strategic capture of Beaufort Castle
The IDF confirmed it has captured Beaufort Castle, a key strategic point on a high ridge above the Litani river. The site, built by the Crusaders around 900 years ago, has long held military significance due to its elevated position overlooking southern Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the capture as “a dramatic stage and dramatic change in our policy”.
“We have broken the barrier of fear. We are taking the initiative, we are operating on all fronts – in Syria, in Gaza, in Lebanon,” he said.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said the Golani Brigade, which previously fought for control of the fort 44 years ago, had returned and raised the Israeli flag above it. Katz said control of the castle and the surrounding ridge was important for protecting Israeli communities across the border.
Regional escalation and civilian impact in Lebanon and Israel
Meanwhile on Sunday, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said 13 hospital staff had been injured in an airstrike near Hiram hospital in Tyre, which caused significant damage. France has requested a meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the Israeli military operations.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the situation as a “major mistake for Israel” and said, “Nothing can justify the prolongation of [Israel’s] military operations in Lebanon and its increasingly deep occupation of Lebanese territory.”
In Lebanon, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel of a “scorched-earth policy and collective punishment” in the south. He said ongoing negotiations in Washington remain Lebanon’s only route away from the conflict, although Hezbollah is not part of the talks.
On the Israeli side, Hezbollah fired about 25 projectiles into border areas, prompting security measures including school closures. Israel confirmed another soldier had been killed, while opposition politicians called for stronger protection of border communities.
Continued fighting and rising casualties amid widening conflict
Israel says its operations are a response to increased Hezbollah attacks using drones and missiles targeting both military positions inside Lebanon and Israeli border communities.
Since renewed escalation in early March, Lebanese authorities say more than 3,300 people have been killed, while Israel reports 25 military deaths in the same period.
The Lebanese government and army have remained largely outside direct involvement in the fighting, as regional diplomacy continues with planned negotiations between Israeli and Lebanese delegations in Washington this week.