The Israeli military aims to control the Beaufort Ridge and disrupt Hezbollah's operations, which have been directed by Iran. Perched atop a commanding hill in southern Lebanon, the historic Beaufort Castle has once again found itself at the center of the Middle East conflict. Israeli forces on Sunday announced they had seized the medieval fortress and the strategic Beaufort Ridge in a major operation targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, highlighting the long-standing military significance of a site that has witnessed centuries of warfare. Built during the Crusader era in the 12th century, Beaufort Castle overlooks vast stretches of southern Lebanon and offers commanding views toward northern Israel. Its elevated position has long made it a coveted military stronghold, used over the centuries by Crusaders, Mamluks, Ottoman forces, Palestinian militants, Hezbollah, and the Israeli military. For Israel, Beaufort is more than just a historic fortress. The site carries deep military symbolism dating back to 1982. The battle fought between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on June 6, 1982, over Beaufort Castle, Lebanon, was one of the first clashes of the Lebanon War and resulted in the IDF capturing the castle. As Israel captured it once again, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, on Sunday, called it a "major strategic achievement", announcing that Israeli forces had crossed the Litani River and expanded military operations against Hezbollah positions north of the river. Also Read: 'Broken Barrier Of Fear': Netanyahu Hails Capture of Beaufort Castle In a post on X, Katz said, describing the latest military action as a symbolic return to a site deeply associated with Israeli military history. "44 years after the heroic battle for the Beaufort, and on the memorial day for the fallen of the Peace for Galilee War, including Golani Brigade soldiers who fell in the battle for the Beaufort - IDF fighters, led by the Golani Brigade, returned to the peak of the Beaufort and raised the flag of Israel and the flag of Golani over it once again," Katz said. For Lebanon, meanwhile, Beaufort stands as a powerful national landmark and a symbol of resistance against foreign occupation. Following Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, the castle became a reminder of Lebanon's turbulent history and the region's long-running struggles over sovereignty and security. The capture of the medieval castle and ridge once again deepens Israel's footprint in Lebanon as the Israel-Hezbollah military front remains active even as a parallel ceasefire holds in the wider Iran war. Hezbollah entered the US-Israeli war against Iran by firing rockets and drones into ?Israel on March 2, days after the Iran conflict began. The advance into Beaufort Castle has granted Israeli troops an overlook ?point over much of southern Lebanon ?and northern Israel, from which attacks have been launched towards Israeli residential areas. Hezbollah "carried ?out numerous attacks," from the Ridge, the military said, adding that its troops were operating ?against launch infrastructure in the area, ?from which "hundreds of projectiles were launched toward Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers." Ananya is a journalist with a strong grounding in breaking news and a deep-rooted passion for geopolitics. She has 6 years of experience in TV and Dig... View More