Historic Beaufort Castle (Qalaat al-Shaqif).
'Israeli' military announces capture of Beaufort Castle
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- 'Israel' claims control of Beaufort Castle in south Lebanon
- 'Israeli' forces alleges advance north of the Litani River
- Clashes signal collapse of April 17 ceasefire
- Lebanon accuses 'Israel' of “scorched-earth” tactics
Military escalation in southern Lebanon has reached an unprecedented peak following an announcement by the 'Israeli' military that it has established total operational control over the historic Beaufort Castle (Qalaat al-Shaqif).
In tandem with the capture of the fortress, 'Israel' has expanded the scope of its ground incursion, pushing forces into new areas located north of the Litani River.
Crossing Litani
A spokesperson for the 'Israeli' military confirmed that the latest advance followed a large-scale operation executed days prior across the Shaqif heights and the Salouqi Valley.
According to the military, the objective of the push was to eliminate what it described as a "direct threat" to towns in the Galilee Panhandle and Metula.
The spokesperson noted that a large number of troops have launched an expanded offensive to reinforce what the 'Israeli' military terms its "forward defense line."
This tactical escalation follows a prior declaration by 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated that a large portion of southern Lebanon has effectively transformed into an open combat zone.
Lebanon denounces "scorched-earth" tactics
The Lebanese government met the deeper ground incursion with severe political condemnation.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused 'Tel Aviv' of executing a systematic "scorched-earth" policy designed to completely destroy infrastructure and hilltop villages across the south.
"The fierce clashes signal the definitive collapse of the ceasefire agreement originally announced on April 17, which failed to achieve any real commitment on the ground."
As 'Israeli' forces push past the Litani River line, the intensity of the ongoing battles has effectively erased any remnants of the short-lived April diplomatic framework, plunging the region back into open warfare.
