Destroyed buildings are pictured in the village of KfarKila in southern Lebanon as seen from across the border in the Upper Galilee region of northern Israel on May 29, 2026, with the Crusader-period Beaufort Castle pictured in Lebanon in the background.Jalaa Marey/ AFP via Getty Images

Israel captures Crusader castle as war expands in southern Lebanon – POLITICO

by · POLITICO

Israeli troops seized a crumbling 12th-century fortress in southern Lebanon, marking their deepest advance into the country in 25 years.

The capture of the Crusader-era Beaufort Castle, which sits atop a strategically important mountain near the Lebanese village of Arnoun, came after days of airstrikes and clashes between Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops and Hezbollah fighters.

Defense Minister Israel Katz posted a photo on X of an Israeli flag flying above the castle, which was captured by Israel in 1982 during the First Lebanon War and occupied for 18 years.