The Israeli military says it has expanded its ground operations in southern Lebanon to additional areas and that its forces have crossed the Litani River to reinforce Israeli military positions in the region.
The Israeli military said that a “significant number” of ground troops have launched offensive operations aimed at expanding what it calls the “forward defensive line,” adding that the operation is “currently expanding into additional areas.”
The May 31 statement came two days after Israeli Prime Minister Btnjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops had crossed the Litani River, some 30 kilometres north of the Israel-Lebanon border.
The military said its forces had captured Beaufort Castle and the adjacent Beaufort Ridge, a strategic high ground overlooking much of southern Lebanon and northern Israel. One Israeli soldier was killed during the operation, they said.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli troops raised the Israeli flag over the castle, which is also known as Qalaat al-Shakif. He described the site as “one of the most important strategic points for the defence of Galilee communities” and for the security of Israeli forces.
The castle has long had significant military value. Israeli forces used the fortress as a base during their 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon, which ended in 2000.
The Israeli military also warned civilians south of the Zahrani River to move immediately to areas north of the river, saying it was stepping up operations against Hezbollah.
A ceasefire between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group, which the United States considers a terrorist organisation, officially went into effect on 17 April, but has been largely unenforced as both sides accuse each other of violations.
On 30 May, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel of conducting a “scorched earth policy” in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry says at least 3,371 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since 2 March.
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Israel says it has expanded its offensive in Lebanon and captured Beaufort Castle