Netanyahu Hails Beaufort Seizure As 'Dramatic Shift' As Israel Intensifies War Against Hezbollah
Netanyahu Hails Beaufort Seizure As 'Dramatic Shift' As Israel Intensifies War Against Hezbollah Published By, Last Updated: June 01, 2026, 11:39 IST Netanyahu hailed the
Netanyahu Hails Beaufort Seizure As 'Dramatic Shift' As Israel Intensifies War Against Hezbollah Published By, Last Updated: June 01, 2026, 11:39 IST Netanyahu hailed the Israeli capture of the Beaufort Castle and the surrounding ridge, calling it a "dramatic shift" in Israeli policy as troops moved deeper into Lebanon. Rapid Read Israeli forces captured the medieval Beaufort Castle on Sunday. (Reuters Image) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday ordered troops to move further into Lebanon to intensify its campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, despite a ceasefire announced more than six weeks ago. His order came after Israeli troops seized the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle and a strategic ridge in southern Lebanon in its latest advance, a day after one of the heaviest days of Hezbollah fire toward northern Israel since the April ceasefire. In a video message released from his office, Netanyahu hailed the Israeli capture of the Beaufort Castle and the surrounding strategic ridge, calling it a “dramatic shift" in Israeli policy as troops moved deeper into southern Lebanon.
“The capture of Beaufort is a dramatic stage and a dramatic shift in the policy we are leading. Now my directive is to deepen and expand our hold on areas that had been under Hezbollah’s control," he said. Hezbollah Continues Attack, Ceasefire In Peril Israeli troops and Hezbollah have continued to trade fire since the April ceasefire, with Hezbollah resorting to the use of cheap, easy-to-assemble kamikaze drones that are hard for air defences to thwart and that have killed several Israeli troops in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah’s rocket and drone attacks continued on Sunday, triggering sirens in Acre and the Haifa area, the first attack on the major northern urban area in nearly a month, according to The Times of Israel. Four soldiers were lightly injured on Sunday afternoon when an explosive-laden Hezbollah UAV struck a military position near the northern border. A day ago, an Israeli soldier was killed on Saturday night during clashes with Hezbollah near the Beaufort ridge. The seizure of Beaufort Castle after days of intense fighting and airstrikes is being viewed as both a symbolic and military victory for Israel.
The medieval castle has played a crucial military role for centuries due to its strategic location. Netanyahu recalled that the fortress “became a symbol of deep division within our society" after Israeli troops captured the castle in one of the early battles of the First Lebanon War in 1982. Israel maintained control over the castle and the surrounding ridge throughout its 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon until its withdrawal in 2000. Lebanon Condemns ‘Israeli Aggression’ Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Monday that his country was facing “a vicious and reprehensible Israeli aggression", after Israel captured the Beaufort Castle. Aoun condemned the Israeli offensive in a post on X and pledged to “work to end the suffering of the Lebanese people, and people in the south in particular". The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on Lebanon on Monday after Netanyahu’s latest remarks. The meeting was called by France in view of the escalating violence in Lebanon after French President Emmanuel Macron said that “nothing justifies the major escalation under way in south Lebanon".
The Israeli-Hezbollah war has so far killed more than 3,370 people in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese government. Israel says 24 of its soldiers and four civilians have been killed over the same period. (with inputs from agencies) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Jerusalem, Israel First Published: June 01, 2026, 11:39 IST News world Netanyahu Hails Beaufort Seizure As 'Dramatic Shift' As Israel Intensifies War Against Hezbollah Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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