Israeli warplanes and ground troops seized the historic Beaufort Castle and conducted airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Sunday, May 31, 2026 [1, 2].
The operation represents a significant escalation in the conflict with Hezbollah, marking one of the deepest advances by Israeli forces into Lebanese territory in roughly 26 years [4, 5].
Ground forces captured the 12th-century fortress [3], which overlooks the border and provides a strategic vantage point over the region. This move comes as the Israeli military expands its ground presence to strengthen its position in the south [2, 5].
Simultaneous with the ground advance, Israeli airstrikes targeted several villages across southern Lebanon [1, 2]. In the city of Nabatiyeh, strikes destroyed the Harb residential building, a 12-story structure located in the Al-Bayad neighbourhood [1].
Reports on the depth of the incursion vary slightly by source. Business Standard reported the move as the deepest in 26 years [4], while CBC described it as the deepest in a quarter-century [5].
Israeli officials said the operations were intended to strengthen military positions and expand into additional areas as part of a broader offensive against Hezbollah [2, 5].
“Israeli forces captured the 12th-century fortress, which overlooks the border.”
The capture of Beaufort Castle is a strategic pivot, as the fortress's elevation allows for enhanced surveillance and fire control over southern Lebanon. By combining high-value territorial seizures with the destruction of urban infrastructure in Nabatiyeh, Israel is signaling a shift from targeted raids to a more comprehensive effort to dismantle Hezbollah's operational capabilities near the border.
