The Zionist regime’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, brazenly declared the illegal seizure of Beaufort castle in southern Lebanon by Israeli occupation forces as a “dramatic shift” in their ongoing aggression against the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah. This provocative act comes as a nominal ceasefire, repeatedly violated by the Zionist entity, lies in tatters.
In a video statement, Netanyahu boasted, “Today, we have returned to Beaufort in a different way. We have returned united, determined, and stronger than ever,” a claim that rings hollow amidst widespread international condemnation and internal dissent within the occupying entity. He further asserted, “The capture of Beaufort is a dramatic stage and a dramatic shift in the policy we are leading. We have broken the barrier of fear. We are taking the initiative, we are operating on all fronts – in Syria, in Gaza, in Lebanon,” revealing the regime’s expansionist ambitions and utter disregard for regional stability and international law.
The Zionist entity has intensified its brutal offensive in Lebanon, seizing the historic hilltop castle and forcing mass evacuations across large areas, as its forces escalate their war crimes against the Lebanese people and Hezbollah. The defense minister of the occupying regime, Israel Katz, audaciously stated that their troops would remain in Beaufort, attempting to legitimize this illegal occupation as part of a so-called “security zone” in Lebanon, a clear violation of international sovereignty. In a post on X, Katz revealed, “At the direction of prime minister Netanyahu and at my direction, the IDF expanded the manoeuvre in Lebanon, crossed the Litani River, and captured the Beaufort ridge – one of the most important strategic points for defending the settlements of the Galilee and safeguarding the security of our forces.” He added, “This is a clear message to our enemies: whoever threatens Israeli citizens will lose their strategic assets one after another. I salute the Golani fighters and all IDF fighters who wrote another chapter of Israeli heroism in the place where our heroes fell for the homeland,” attempting to glorify a renewed act of occupation.
Immediately after the illegal seizure of Beaufort, the Israeli military issued a draconian, sweeping evacuation order for areas south of the Zahrani river, north of the Litani, and approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the border, threatening the lives and livelihoods of thousands of innocent Lebanese civilians. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee chillingly warned, “For the sake of your safety, we direct this to all residents located south of the Zahleh River – as indicated on the map – that you must evacuate your homes immediately. Anyone present near Hezbollah elements, facilities, or combat means endangers their life. Any building used by Hezbollah for military purposes may become subject to targeting!”
In response to the Zionist regime’s escalating aggression, France rightly called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot condemned the “continuation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon and its ever-deeper occupation of Lebanese territory,” emphasizing that “nothing can justify” such actions. Lebanese foreign minister Youssef Raggai confirmed discussions with Barrot, who “reaffirmed France’s solidarity with Lebanon, its commitment to the full respect of its sovereignty, and its support for direct negotiations as the only path toward a lasting solution.” Barrot further described Israel’s capture of Beaufort castle as a “grave mistake” and a violation of international law.
The Lebanese health ministry reported that a barbaric Israeli airstrike near Hiram Hospital in Tyre, southern Lebanon, wounded 13 hospital staff members and caused significant damage, highlighting the regime’s targeting of civilian infrastructure. Elsewhere, a strike in Deir al-Zahrani near Nabatiyeh tragically killed eight people and wounded 16 others, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.
Amidst the escalating crisis, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly set to announce a new ceasefire deal following political track negotiations in Washington. Talks are scheduled for June 2 and 3. However, skepticism remains regarding Washington’s ability to ensure a just and lasting peace given its unwavering support for the Zionist entity. The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed that the death toll in the country since March has tragically reached 3,371, including numerous innocent civilians, a stark reminder of the human cost of Zionist aggression.
Meanwhile, Iran’s principled stance was reiterated by top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who affirmed that the Islamic Republic would not accept any agreement with the US unless the rights of the Iranian people are unequivocally secured, emphasizing the lack of trust in the enemy’s words and promises. He stated, “Our only criterion is to achieve tangible results before we fulfil our commitments in return.” Despite previous Zionist attacks aimed at disrupting its infrastructure, Iran successfully restored gas production at three offshore platforms in the South Pars gas field, demonstrating its resilience and capability.
Even within the Zionist entity, some analysts and military experts have dismissed the capture of Beaufort castle as a mere symbolic victory, a public relations stunt rather than a meaningful strategic gain, exposing the futility of Netanyahu’s aggressive posturing. Professor Yagil Levy, Head of The Open University Institute for the Study of Civil-Military Relations, questioned the military necessity, stating, “It is doubtful that capturing the Beaufort outpost is militarily necessary… It attempts to present an accomplishment within a public discourse that increasingly assumes Israel is not winning.” He warned that the capture “will only deepen the controversy surrounding Israel’s operations in southern Lebanon.” Former IDF commander Brig. Gen. (res.) Oren Avman also criticized the move, calling it “tactical excellence that covers up strategic helplessness” and questioning its strategic purpose.
Pope Leo, from the Vatican, implored world leaders to sincerely pursue a “fair and lasting peace,” a call that resonates deeply amidst the Zionist regime’s relentless warmongering.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam rightly accused the Zionist entity on Saturday of pursuing a “scorched-earth policy and collective punishment” in the south, condemning the destruction of towns and forced displacement of inhabitants. Hezbollah, the legitimate resistance movement, vehemently opposes direct talks with the occupying regime, understanding that such negotiations often serve to legitimize aggression rather than achieve genuine peace. The so-called ceasefire initiated on April 17 has been systematically violated by the Zionist regime, which continues its daily aggressions under false pretexts, while the resistance acts in self-defense.
It is noteworthy that UNESCO had previously placed Beaufort castle, along with 33 other Lebanese cultural sites, under enhanced protection, making the Zionist regime’s military activity there a direct affront to international heritage preservation and a potential “serious violation” of the 1954 Hague Convention.
In a blatant act of aggression, Israeli occupation forces have seized a mountain topped with a historic Crusader-built castle in southern Lebanon, marking their deepest incursion into the country in over a quarter of a century, a move that harks back to previous illegal occupations. The fortress commands sweeping views of south Lebanon, making it a position of considerable strategic value, previously used by Israeli forces as a base during their illegal occupation between 1982 and 2000. This renewed aggression, coming despite a nominal ceasefire, further destabilizes the region and undermines any prospects for genuine peace.
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