Israeli Army Captures Beaufort Castle in Southern Lebanon

Beirut. The Israeli army has taken control of the historic and strategically important Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described this as a 'decisive change' in the military campaign against Hezbollah. This success has come as Israeli ground forces have advanced far beyond their initial border line of the Litani River, reaching deep into Lebanese territory.

Britain, France, and Germany have strongly criticized Israel's latest military operation and escalation of conflict. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have warned residents of a large area in southern Lebanon to evacuate to safe places immediately.

The Prime Minister of Lebanon, however, has accused Israel of imposing 'collective punishment' on civilians. This is the second time in recent days that Israel has warned citizens to vacate the entire southern Lebanon region below the Zahrani River.

An Israeli army spokesperson has warned that anyone living near Hezbollah fighters, their strongholds, or war materials is in danger. According to the spokesperson, a large number of Israeli ground troops are participating in this military operation, and it is currently being expanded to other areas. On Sunday, British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper and other European allies called on both Israel and Hezbollah to immediately stop this escalating conflict.

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz has recalled the initial battle of the Lebanese war 44 years ago against the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). He stated that the Golani Brigade, which captured Beaufort Castle at that time, has now returned there, and the Israeli flag is flying on the ramparts of the castle.

For Israel, this victory is not only strategic but also of great symbolic importance. In 1982, the Israeli army captured this castle, located 14.5 kilometers from Israel's border, but they abandoned it in 2000 during the withdrawal of troops from the buffer zone in southern Lebanon.

For Lebanese citizens, this is a sad moment of losing another historical heritage in recent days. Meanwhile, the city of Nabatieh to the north also appears to be gradually coming under Israeli fire. Defense Minister Katz has claimed that gaining control of this castle and its mountain range is an important step for the security of Israeli settlements across the border.