{"id":835292,"date":"2026-05-31T20:25:32","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T20:25:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/835292\/"},"modified":"2026-05-31T20:25:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T20:25:32","slug":"we-returned-stronger-than-ever-netanyahu-hails-capture-of-lebanons-beaufort-castle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/835292\/","title":{"rendered":"‘We returned stronger than ever’: Netanyahu hails capture of Lebanon’s Beaufort Castle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday celebrated the IDF\u2019s capture<\/a> of Lebanon\u2019s historic Beaufort Castle and the surrounding strategic ridge, calling it \u201ca dramatic shift\u201d in Israeli policy as forces pushed deeper into southern Lebanon amid an expanding ground offensive against Hezbollah.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe capture of Beaufort is a dramatic stage and a dramatic shift in the policy we are leading,\u201d Netanyahu said in a video message released by his office, adding: \u201cNow my directive is to deepen and expand our hold on areas that had been under Hezbollah\u2019s control.\u201d<\/p>\n

The statement came as Hezbollah pounded northern Israel with relentless rocket and drone fire. Sunday\u2019s barrages triggered sirens in Acre and the Haifa area, the first attack on the major northern urban area in nearly a month, and caused schools to close<\/a> near the Lebanon border. Several people were injured on Sunday afternoon when an explosive drone impacted in the community of Beit Hillel.<\/p>\n

As the IDF pushed deeper into Lebanese territory, an Israeli soldier was killed Saturday night during clashes with Hezbollah in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, just west of the Beaufort Ridge. Staff Sgt. Michael Tyukin, 21, who was killed by an explosive drone, was the 13th soldier killed since an ostensible ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was reached on April 16.<\/p>\n

Hours after the deadly attack, Israeli troops took over territory in the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi Saluki stream area, and expanded strikes north of the Litani River overnight. Footage from Sunday morning showed Israeli and IDF flags flying over the Crusader-built fortress.<\/p>\n

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In his Sunday statement, Netanyahu recalled that the landmark fortress \u201cbecame a symbol of deep division within our society\u201d after Israeli troops captured the castle in one of the early 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.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

IDF troops of the Golani Brigade are seen operating at the Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, in a video published on May 31, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, we have returned to Beaufort differently. We have returned united, determined, and stronger than ever,\u201d Netanyahu said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have broken through the barrier of fear,\u201d he continued. \u201cWe are taking the initiative. We are operating on all fronts \u2014 in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon. We have established security zones beyond our borders in order to protect our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

IDF troops of the Golani Brigade are seen operating at the Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, in a video published on May 31, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)<\/p>\n

Netanyahu said 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.<\/p>\n

Three thousand of those operatives were killed since the start of Israel\u2019s war against Iran last June, and 700 were killed since last month, Netanyahu said.<\/p>\n

\t\"\"<\/a>
\n\t\tThe Israeli and Golani Brigade flags are seen over the Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Marjayoun area of southern Lebanon on May 31, 2026 (AFP)<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will take time, but we will complete the mission,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n

Beaufort Castle is some five kilometers from the border, and its recapture is not the IDF\u2019s deepest advance into Lebanon, with troops operating up to 10 kilometers from the border since 2024.<\/p>\n

Defense Minister Israel Katz also hailed the capture of the castle, and vowed troops would stay at the site \u201cas part of the security zone in Lebanon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Katz said earlier Sunday that \u201cthe capture of the Beaufort and the expansion of the [ground] maneuver constitute a clear message to our enemies: Whoever threatens the citizens of Israel will lose their strategic assets one after another.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\"\"<\/a>
\n\t\tTroops of the Golaini Brigade\u2019s Reconnaissance Unit operate at the\u00a0 Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, in a handout photo published on May 31, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)<\/p>\n

The Beaufort Castle, also known as Qalaat al-Shakif, commands sweeping views of the Galilee Panhandle in northern Israel, as well as the Nabatieh area in southern Lebanon, making it a position of considerable strategic value.<\/p>\n

France requests UNSC meeting after castle\u2019s capture<\/p>\n

Following the capture of the Beaufort Castle overnight, France requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the recent escalations in Lebanon.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council because, while we recognize Israel\u2019s right, like that of all countries, to self-defense\u2026 nothing can justify the continuation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon and its ever-deeper occupation of Lebanese territory,\u201d Jean-Noel Barrot said on the BFMTV channel.<\/p>\n

France has longstanding ties to Lebanon, dating back to the French mandate following World War I.<\/p>\n

\t\"\"<\/a>
\n\t\tTroops of the Golani Brigade\u2019s Reconnaissance Unit operate at the\u00a0Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, in a handout photo published on May 31, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)<\/p>\n

In reaction to the French request, Israel\u2019s envoy to the UN Danny Danon said in a statement that \u201cthe real discussion in the Security Council should be about the ongoing failure to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701,\u201d which ended the last Israel-Hezbollah war in 2006 and required that the Iran-backed terror group retreat north of the Litani River.<\/p>\n

Israeli officials have repeatedly accused Lebanon and UNIFIL forces of failing to uphold the agreement.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor years, Hezbollah has flagrantly violated UN resolutions, armed itself under Iran\u2019s patronage, and posed a direct threat to Israeli civilians and to regional stability\u2026 Israel will continue to act against any threat to its citizens,\u201d Danon said.<\/p>\n


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