Israeli forces have seized Beaufort Castle and ordered the mass evacuation of southern Lebanon’s civilian population, marking the deepest incursion into Lebanese territory in 26 years.
This has simultaneously triggered a wave of condemnation from European capitals, as well as other parts of the world, as Israel’s ambitions show no sign of retreat.
Israel ordered all residents living south of the Zahrani River to move immediately northward, with its military’s Arabic-language spokesperson warning that anyone who remained risked being killed.
The directive was the latest in a string of displacement orders; Israel had issued more than ten such orders in the preceding 24 hours as it pressed its offensive deeper into Lebanese territory, after crossing the Litani River on Friday for the first time since 2006.
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At the symbolic and strategic heart of the advance was the capture of Beaufort Castle, a Crusader-era fortress perched on a hilltop near Nabatieh. Israeli troops pushed to a point roughly 14.5 kilometers from the Israeli border.
Defense Minister Israel Katz hailed the seizure as a landmark tactical achievement, saying the military had “captured the Beaufort Ridge; one of the most important strategic points for defending the communities of the Galilee.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu added by saying the offensive would not slow down: “We have broken the barrier of fear. We are taking the initiative, we are operating on all fronts; in Syria, in Gaza, in Lebanon.”
The European External Action Service reaffirmed its support for the UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL, condemned attacks on peacekeepers, and voiced alarm over the forced displacement of more than one million people in Lebanon.
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Britain’s minister for the Middle East called on all parties to uphold the ceasefire and continue US-led talks, while also demanding that Hezbollah end its attacks on Israel and disarm.
France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting, stating that “nothing can justify the continuation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon and its ever-deeper occupation of Lebanese territory.”
Meanwhile Lebanese Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, accused Israel of pursuing a “scorched-earth policy” and imposing “collective punishment” on southern Lebanon’s residents, as Israeli troops continued to demolish homes and businesses and a humanitarian crisis deepened in the south.
Peace negotiations, facilitated by Washington, are expected to resume next week, though with Netanyahu signaling no intention of backing down, a breakthrough is least expected.
