Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has celebrated the recent capture of the historic Beaufort Castle and the surrounding strategic ridge in southern Lebanon by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), describing the development as a “dramatic shift” in Israel’s military strategy.
In a video message released by the Israeli prime minister’s office, Netanyahu said the seizure of Beaufort Castle marked a significant turning point in Israel’s campaign against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.
“The capture of Beaufort Castle is a dramatic stage and a dramatic change in the policy we are pursuing,” Netanyahu said. “My directive now is to deepen and expand our hold in areas that were under Hezbollah’s control.”
Recalling the site’s historical significance, Netanyahu noted that the fortress became a symbol of division within Israeli society after Israeli troops captured it during one of the early battles of the 1982 Lebanon War.
Israel maintained control of the strategic position throughout its 18-year presence in southern Lebanon before withdrawing its forces in 2000 following years of deadly conflict.
“Today we have returned to Beaufort in a different way,” Netanyahu said. “We have come back united, determined and stronger than ever. We have broken through the wall of fear. We are taking the initiative. We are operating on all fronts — Syria, Gaza and Lebanon.”
The Israeli leader also said Israel has established security zones beyond its borders to protect communities near the frontier.
Netanyahu further claimed that Israel has killed 8,000 Hezbollah militants since the group began attacks on Israel following the Hamas-led assault of October 2023. According to him, 3,000 Hezbollah operatives have been killed since Israel’s war with Iran began in June, including 700 over the past month. These figures could not be independently verified.
