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Israel strikes near Beaufort as troops push toward Nabatieh
Confirmed
What we know
Israeli air force and artillery strikes hit southern Lebanon on Saturday near the Crusader-built Beaufort Castle, about 15 kilometers from the Israeli border, as fighting intensified in villages around Nabatieh, Lebanon's National News Agency and wire reports said. Al Jazeera reported Israeli forces had advanced beyond the Litani River — the first such push since 2006 — and were on the outskirts of Nabatieh, a major southern hub, while the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for more than a dozen villages.
The strikes came a day after Lebanese and Israeli military officials held direct talks at the Pentagon and as a U.S.-backed April ceasefire with Hezbollah continued to fray. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam denounced what he called a "scorched-earth policy and collective punishment" and urged a swift ceasefire. Beaufort, held by Israeli troops for 18 years until the 2000 withdrawal, overlooks wide swaths of the south; full capture of the castle was announced Sunday.
What's confirmed
- AP: Israeli air and artillery strikes were reported near Beaufort Castle Saturday as fighting raged near Nabatieh; NNA confirmed shelling around the site (AP).
- Al Jazeera: Lebanese military sources said Israeli forces crossed the Litani and reached Nabatieh's outskirts; evacuation orders covered at least 10 villages (Al Jazeera).
- AFP/France 24: Salam accused Israel of a scorched-earth escalation; Netanyahu had said troops pushed more than 30 kilometers into Lebanon (AFP).
- AP: Pentagon-hosted Lebanese-Israeli military talks occurred Friday even as ground operations expanded (AP).
What's still developing
- Whether Israeli forces hold Beaufort and how far north of the Litani the ground push extends.
- Impact on U.S.-mediated Lebanon ceasefire talks and any link to parallel Iran diplomacy.
- Civilian displacement totals and casualty updates from health authorities.
Sources
- AP News — Israeli launches strikes near historic castle in southern Lebanon link
- Al Jazeera — Israeli soldiers reach Nabatieh, one of southern Lebanon's biggest cities link
- AFP / France 24 — US says capable of resuming war with Iran as deal remains elusive (Lebanon fighting section) link
- Boston Globe / AP — Israel launches strikes near ancient heritage castle site in southern Lebanon link