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Israeli forces capture the Beaufort medieval castle in Nabatieh Governorate , Lebanon , during a ground offensive despite a temporary ceasefire .
Confirmed
Israeli officials have said Hezbollah's attacks are violating the temporary ceasefire deal between the Israeli and Lebanese governments, which has been extended twice since it came into force last month. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered Israeli forces to expand military operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
"Our brave soldiers have captured the Beaufort once again — and they will remain there as part of the security zone in Lebanon," Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday. Katz said control of the castle and the ridge it stands upon was an important step in protecting Israeli communities on the other side of the border.
Lebanon's culture minister said last week — before the Israelis captured the castle — that it had suffered a direct hit from an Israeli strike. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the Israeli army's advance further into southern Lebanon was a "cause for serious concern".
Israel said Sunday it had captured the hilltop castle, which provides a commanding view of southern Lebanon and northern Israel. Netanyahu said Friday that Israeli forces have crossed the Litani River.
On Sunday, Lebanon's Health Ministry said 13 hospital staff had been injured in an airstrike in the vicinity of Hiram hospital in Tyre, southern Lebanon, which caused significant damage. "This is a clear message to our enemies: anyone who threatens Israeli civilians will lose their strategic assets one by one," said Katz, the Israeli defense minister.
While making clear that there was no guarantee that talks would succeed, he said negotiation was the path to preventing more harm to Lebanon and its people. The spokesman said a "significant number of IDF ground soldiers" were involved in the operation, which was "currently expanding to additional areas".
In a statement on Sunday following its capture, Netanyahu said it was "a decisive stage and decisive shift in our policy". Israel said it retook the castle because Hezbollah was using the area to launch attacks on northern Israel.
We are taking the initiative, we are operating on all fronts - in Syria, in Gaza, in Lebanon," he said. He said the Golani Brigade, which took it then, had returned and raised the Israeli flag above it.
What's confirmed
- Israeli officials have said Hezbollah's attacks are violating the temporary ceasefire deal between the Israeli and Lebanese governments, which has been extended twice since it came into force last month.
- "Our brave soldiers have captured the Beaufort once again — and they will remain there as part of the security zone in Lebanon," Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday.
- Lebanon's culture minister said last week — before the Israelis captured the castle — that it had suffered a direct hit from an Israeli strike.
- Israel said Sunday it had captured the hilltop castle, which provides a commanding view of southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
- On Sunday, Lebanon's Health Ministry said 13 hospital staff had been injured in an airstrike in the vicinity of Hiram hospital in Tyre, southern Lebanon, which caused significant damage.
- While making clear that there was no guarantee that talks would succeed, he said negotiation was the path to preventing more harm to Lebanon and its people.
What's still developing
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered Israeli forces to expand military operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon .
- Israel said Sunday it had captured the hilltop castle, which provides a commanding view of southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
- "Our brave soldiers have captured the Beaufort once again — and they will remain there as part of the security zone in Lebanon," Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday.
- "Israel must know that its scorched-earth policy, collective punishment and expropriation of villages and towns will not achieve security and stability but will instead deepen the divide with the Lebanese people," he…
- While making clear that there was no guarantee that talks would succeed, he said negotiation was the path to preventing more harm to Lebanon and its people.
- Israel said it retook the castle because Hezbollah was using the area to launch attacks on northern Israel.
- "This is a clear message to our enemies: anyone who threatens Israeli civilians will lose their strategic assets one by one," said Katz, the Israeli defense minister.
- Lebanon's culture minister said last week — before the Israelis captured the castle — that it had suffered a direct hit from an Israeli strike.