Israeli troops have captured a clifftop castle in their deepest incursion into Lebanon in more than 26 years, further shattering a nominal US-brokered ceasefire and complicating efforts to extend a separate truce between Washington and Tehran. The Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, said the military had seized Beaufort Castle, also known as Qalaat al-Shaqif, which it had used as a base during its previous occupation of southern Lebanon between 1982 and 2000.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) already controlled territory up to the Litani River but are now pushing towards the Zahrani River, about six miles north. French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Monday, calling the operations unacceptable. Images showed Israeli and Golani Brigade flags flying over the castle, which overlooks much of southern Lebanon, as shelling echoed across the hills.
The IDF said it had launched an operation to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure and expand control. Israeli forces appear to be positioning for a potential encirclement of Nabatieh, an economic and cultural centre. Prof Yagil Levy of the Open University of Israel described the advance as a 'victory of image', noting growing protests and criticism within the military.
The advance also challenges stalled US-Iran negotiations, as Tehran wants any deal to include an end to fighting in Lebanon. The conflict has displaced more than 1.2 million people since March, with a truce from 17 April never observed. Lebanon's prime minister, Nawaz Salam, accused Israel of pursuing a scorched-earth policy and collective punishment.
