The move prompted Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to note, "Today, we have returned to Beaufort differently. We have returned united, determined, and stronger than ever. We have broken through the barrier of fear. We are taking the initiative. We are operating on all fronts — in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon. We have established security zones beyond our borders in order to protect our communities."

The capture of the Beaufort Castle, near the city of Nabatiyeh and roughly 14.5 kilometres from the Israeli border, comes after days of fierce fighting in the area.

While Israel has celebrated its deepest push into Lebanon so far, its actions have been condemned by European leaders, with France's Emmanuel Macron noting that "nothing justifies the major escalation underway in south Lebanon".

Israel's capture of Beaufort Castle

On Sunday, Israel announced it captured the historic Beaufort Castle and the surrounding strategic ridge as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) deepened its incursion into its neighbour, Lebanon's territory.

The capture of the Crusader-era castle in Lebanon comes after days of fierce fighting in the area. "The operation began several days ago, during which a significant number of IDF ground soldiers commenced offensive operations aimed at expanding the Forward Defense Line," said the IDF.

"From Beaufort Ridge, Hezbollah terrorists managed military and combat activities and carried out numerous attacks," it said.

According to the IDF, the Beaufort is home to "significant" Hezbollah infrastructure, which the IDF said was established with Iranian assistance, "from which Hezbollah terrorists managed the fighting and carried out numerous terror attacks." Hundreds of rockets were fired from the area at Israel and troops in southern Lebanon, according to the military.

The Israeli push came despite a nominal ceasefire that has been in place since April 17 and just days before Lebanon and Israel hold their next round of direct talks in Washington, starting Tuesday (June 2).

Following Israel's capture of the Beaufort Castle, Defence Minister Israel Katz wrote on X that they raised an Israeli flag over the castle. He added that the Jewish nation intends to hold the castle as its troops work to destroy thousands more homes that he says were used by Hezbollah and other military infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

He later added that "the capture of the Beaufort and the expansion of the [ground] manoeuvre constitute a clear message to our enemies: Whoever threatens the citizens of Israel will lose their strategic assets one after another."