Israel seizes strategic Lebanese citadel after days of fighting despite ceasefire

Israeli forces have captured the strategic Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, their deepest incursion into the country in 26 years and a major territorial advance since the recent conflict with Israel. Hezbollah March begins.The Crusader-era fortress, located on a ridge near the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyah, was destroyed after days of fierce fighting and airstrikes by Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants on nearby villages.The Israeli military said the operation was launched days ago in the Beaufort Ridge and Suluki Valley areas to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure and eliminate what it called “direct threats to Israeli civilians.”The statement added that the military was prepared to “scale up operations if needed.”Images released by the Israeli military showed troops outside the historic citadel, which Israel occupied from 1982 when it stationed troops in southern Lebanon until its withdrawal in 2000.Despite a ceasefire that has been in place since April 17, Israeli forces have made progress. According to reports, Israeli troops have crossed the Litani River and advanced to about 5 kilometers from Nabatiyah, one of the largest cities in southern Lebanon.There was no immediate response from Hezbollah or the Lebanese government to Israel’s latest developments.The capture of Beaufort Castle comes as direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon continue in Washington and tensions remain high on the border.The latest Israel-Hezbollah war began on March 2, two days after the United States and Israel attacked Iran, Hezbollah’s main backer, and Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel.Israel has since expanded its military operations in Lebanon, seizing dozens of villages and towns near the border.According to reports, the conflict has killed more than 3,350 people in Lebanon and displaced more than one million people.