(LifeSiteNews) — Amid what Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described as Israel’s “scorched-earth” policy of “collective punishment” of his people, Israeli forces bombed and captured the historic Beaufort Castle, a 12th-century Crusader-era fortress in southern Lebanon, as part of a significant expansion of their military offensive despite a supposed ceasefire.
The hilltop castle, known in Arabic as Qalaat al-Shaqif, overlooks large parts of southern Lebanon and northern Israel and is located about three miles from the major southern city of Nabatieh.
Built during the Crusader period in the mid-12th century, it is considered “one of the best-preserved examples of medieval castles in the Near East,” and has changed hands repeatedly throughout history. Israel previously seized and held the site from 1982 until its withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000.
BREAKING: The IDF have taken over Beaufort Castle in another blow to the Christian population of Lebanon. Smoke was seen rising from the castle this morning. It was built in the 12th century by the King of Jerusalem, Fulk, for Crusaders who were protecting Christians in the Holy… pic.twitter.com/2SQkMxf3cr
— LifeSiteNews (@LifeSite) June 1, 2026
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the capture as a “dramatic shift in policy,” stating that Israeli forces had “returned to Beaufort … united, determined, and stronger than ever.” He framed the move as breaking the “barrier of fear” and taking the initiative across multiple fronts.
Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that troops would remain at the castle as part of a new “security zone” in Lebanon, with operations expanding well north of the Litani River. The Litani had previously been presented as the border of the region in which the Israelis intended to establish a long-term occupation. Israel now occupies nearly one-fifth of the country.
The seizure follows days of intense airstrikes and ground fighting in nearby villages that continue to be defended by Hezbollah. It marks Israel’s deepest incursion into Lebanon in 26 years and extends its control well beyond the “Yellow Line” demarcation established after an earlier ceasefire.
Israeli forces have additionally issued sweeping expulsion orders covering areas south of the Zahrani River, affecting hundreds of thousands of civilians reinforcing an indication of the IDF’s intention to maintain a prolonged military occupation of the region.
“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,” Salam said in an address to the nation Saturday.
The head of the Lebanese government further demanded an immediate ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon while making clear that there was no guarantee the ongoing negotiations between his government and Israel in Washington would yield positive results.
Additionally, Lebanon’s culture minister raised further alarms last week regarding threats to heritage sites in the region, reporting that Beaufort castle had been “directly hit” by an Israeli strike.
‘Gaza tactics’ utilized in Lebanon, mass expulsions, demolitions, war crimes
The incidents occur against the backdrop of Israel’s ground operations in southern Lebanon, where it is employing “Gaza tactics,” razing southern Lebanon villages to the ground with virtual impunity. One mid-April satellite image analysis from the BBC revealed that more than 1,400 buildings had been destroyed in the course of the Israeli offensive, including entire villages having been effectively erased.
Later analyses reveal the Israelis have heavily damaged, if not entirely flattened, 46 of 54 towns and villages within their “Yellow Line,” with a May 11 report from the Guardian documenting at least 2,154 buildings damaged or destroyed across Lebanon (focused on southern areas) due to air strikes and demolitions.
More than 1.2 million people have been displaced, with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health saying more than 3,300 people have been killed, about 20% of them women, children and first responders.
Israel reports that two of its civilians and 23 soldiers have been killed, almost all of whom have lost their lives as members of the invading Israeli army on Lebanese territory.
Israeli targeting of journalists, medical personnel continues
Also similar to its conduct in Gaza, the Israeli army has been targeting journalists and medical personnel during its bombing raids in Lebanon, drawing widespread accusations of war crimes.
These included a late March attack near the southern Lebanese town of Jezzine, where Israeli forces executed a direct and repeated assault — firing four missiles — on a clearly marked press vehicle, resulting in the deaths of three journalists and injuries to several others.
Rescue teams arrived promptly at the scene, but consistent with reported patterns, Israeli forces then targeted the ambulances in a “double tap strike,” killing at least one paramedic.
Direct attacks on health care have been a recurring pattern as well. Israeli strikes have hit hospitals, medical centers, and ambulances across southern Lebanon, killing scores of paramedics and health workers. Examples include the recent bombardment of Hiram Hospital in Tyre that wounded 25 staff, destruction of a facility in Nabatieh District, and a strike on Hanouf medical center killing at least three paramedics.
Amnesty International, national governments, and NGOs have condemned the actions, noting Israel often claims such facilities are being used for military purposes without presenting any supportive evidence.
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