Israeli forces seize strategically important Crusades-era fortress in Lebanon

Israeli forces have captured a strategically important fortress from the Crusades, marking the country's deepest incursion into Lebanon in more than a quarter of a century.

The capture of Beaufort castle, near the city of Nabatiyeh, follows days of airstrikes and intense fighting in nearby villages as Israeli troops battled Hezbollah fighters.

Israel Defence Forces (IDF) soldiers raised the Israeli flag on top of the fortress following its capture, with Israeli defence minister Israel Katz declaring that the country would hold the strategic point.

The seizure came as the IDF issued an evacuation warning for residents south of the Zahrani River, in a move that expands the territory it has sought to clear in southern Lebanon.

It marks a major development in the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, which began on 2 March when Hezbollah fired on northern Israel two days after the US and Israel attacked Iran.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the "heroic fighters" behind the capture of the castle on Sunday, declaring that Israel would expand its control in Lebanon.

"My instruction is to deepen and expand our grip on the places that were under Hezbollah's control," he said.

The Israeli military's Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, posted pictures on X showing Israeli troops walking outside the castle.

The Beaufort fortress, perched high above Lebanon's rolling green hills and overlooking the Litani River, has been a strategic military asset for armies over the last thousand years.

Built as a Crusader castle around the 12th century, it has been used by Saladin's Jerusalem army, the Ottomans, the Palestinian Liberation Organisation and the Israeli military.

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Israeli troops previously captured the castle in 1982 and held it until they withdrew from Lebanon in 2000.

The Crusaders named it Beaufort, which is Old French for "beautiful fortress".

Israel's push into southern Lebanon came despite a nominal ceasefire being in place since 17 April.

The IDF are now about three miles (5km) from the city of Nabatiyeh, a major centre in southern Lebanon, and has called on all its residents to leave.

Residents of the coastal city of Tyre, the country's fourth largest city, and its surroundings, have also been told to leave.

The next round of talks between Israel and Lebanon are due to be held on 2 and 3 June.

The incursion has so far killed ‌more than 3,300 people, the Lebanese government said.

At least 25 Israeli soldiers and a defence contractor in or near southern Lebanon, including one on Saturday, according to Netanyahu's office. There were also two civilians killed in northern Israel.

There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah or the Lebanese government on Israel's seizure.

(c) Sky News 2026: Israeli forces seize strategically important Crusades-era fortress in Lebanon