[ { "type": "paragraph", "content": "Israeli soldiers have taken control of Beaufort Castle, a fort that has dominated the Litani valley for centuries, according to the Israel Defence Forces. The position is 14.5 km (9 mi) from the Israeli border, and its capture represents a key strategic gain for the IDF, which is advancing deeper into southern Lebanon." }, { "type": "paragraph", "content": "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the seizure as part of a “decisive shift” in Israel’s policy, underscoring the intent to “deepen and expand our grip on places that were under Hezbollah’s control.” The IDF warns of evacuations for residents near Hezbollah sites, citing security concerns, and has expanded the area of compulsory evacuation to all territories below the Zahrani River." }, { "type": "paragraph", "content": "The move has triggered strong criticism from allies. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper wrote on X that the escalation has “killed and displaced civilians, destroyed infrastructure, and eroded space for diplomacy.” French President Emmanuel Macron called for an immediate stop to hostilities, while German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed “serious concern” that further escalation could spark new waves of displacement." }, { "type": "paragraph", "content": "Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has branded the Israeli operation a “scorched‑earth policy and collective punishment.” He emphasized that the government is not involved in the conflict, allowing the armed forces of Hezbollah to wreak havoc on cities such as Nabatieh, which increasingly faces IDF strikes." }, { "type": "paragraph", "content": "Historically, the castle was seized by Israeli forces during the First Lebanon War in 1982, held until 2000 when the army withdrew from the surrounding buffer zone. Its recapture 44 years later underscores the strategic significance of elevated terrain in operations against Hezbollah, which has intensified its own drone and missile attacks as Israel responds." }, { "type": "paragraph", "content": "Amid twin accusations of violations, a temporary ceasefire that has been extended twice since March is dissolving. Hezbollah has fired projectiles at Israeli positions, while Israeli airstrikes have hit civilian areas, including the Hiram Hospital in Tyre, where hospital staff were injured. The ceasefire’s fragility was highlighted by Lebanon’s foreign ministry while the IDF continues to deploy ground soldiers in offensives that both sides claim to violate their respective ceasefire agreements." }, { "type": "paragraph", "content": "The ongoing confrontation escalated after March 2 when Hezbollah rocket attacks on Israel prompted an Israeli air campaign, followed by a ground incursion. Lebanon reports over 3,300 deaths and more than 25 Israeli military casualties, an estimation that remains contested between the parties. A fourth diplomatic round, scheduled for Washington, aims to reconcile the mutual accusations and seek a sustainable pause in hostilities." } ]