Israeli forces have seized control of the strategic Beaufort Castle, a Crusader-era fortress perched on a mountain in southern Lebanon, marking their

Israeli troops have captured Beaufort castle in Lebanon, built in Crusader times – and a symbol of Israel's advancement deeper into Lebanese territory. Israeli forces have used it as a base during its two decade occupation of Lebanon. Israel has called on Lebanese civilians to evacuate yet more towns and villages in the south, as it pushes forward, saying it is fighting Hezbollah. Details by FRANCE 24 correspondent in Jerusalem, Noga Tarnopolsky.

Israel launched strikes across south Lebanon this Saturday after ordering evacuations from more than a dozen locations, and a day after Lebanese and Israeli military officials held their first direct talks in decades at the Pentagon. The Lebanese army said a "targeted" Israeli strike wounded two soldiers in the south. Story by Jennie Shin.

Israeli troops have captured a strategic mountain topped with a Crusader-built castle in southern Lebanon in their deepest incursion into the country in more than a quarter-century.

The Israeli army has taken control of Beaufort castle in Southern Lebanon, crossing over the Litani river, which they had been using as a de facto boundary. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the operation a "dramatic shift" in the Israeli offensive in Lebanon. The Israeli army now has declared all land between the Litani and Zaharani River a conflict zone. Details by Caroline Baum.

The capture of Beaufort castle came after days of intense fighting and airstrikes in nearby villages where Israeli troops fought Hezbollah.