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Israel captures medieval Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon amid ceasefire

5 sources · 01 Jun 2026 · Share coverage ·

verbatim from the press ? no verbatim passage

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) captured Beaufort Castle, a medieval fortress in southern Lebanon built nearly 900 years ago, in an operation that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a "decisive change" against Hezbollah. The action occurs despite a ceasefire in effect since April 17 and just days before the next round of direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, scheduled for June 2-3.

Press quotes (2)
A Gazeta

"Militares israelenses capturaram o Castelo de Beaufort, localizado no sul do Líbano e considerado ponto estratégico. A ação foi classificada pelo primeiro-ministro Benjamin Netanyahu como uma "mudança decisiva" em sua ofensiva contra o Hezbollah."

JC

"O ataque israelense se dá apesar de um cessar-fogo em vigor desde 17 de abril e a poucos dias da próxima rodada de negociações diretas, marcada para 2 e 3 de junho, entre Líbano e Israel."

The castle was originally built by the King of Jerusalem around 1137, being captured by King Fulk of Jerusalem in 1139, when construction of the Crusader fortress probably began, according to UNESCO tentative list records. The fortress had already been occupied by Israel in 1982 during the First Lebanon War, but troops withdrew in 2000. ?

Press quotes (3)
Whc

"Qalaat al-Chakif (Beaufort Castle) was originally built by the King of Jerusalem around 1137 A.D., with subsequent expansions and modifications by the Ayyubids, the Mamluks, and the local feudal governors of the Al Saabi family."

En

"There was a fortification on the site before it was captured by Fulk, King of Jerusalem, in 1139 and construction of the Crusader castle probably began soon after."

Sharinghistory

"In 1139, King Fulk of Jerusalem gained control of this area and begun the construction of Beaufort castle shortly afterwards."

According to the IDF, the operation in the Wadi al-Saluki area seeks to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure and remove direct threats to Israeli communities in the Galilee Panhandle and Metula. The Israeli Army states that its forces crossed the Litani River and expanded operations against group targets north of the river, with possibility of expansion to other areas.

Press quotes (1)
JC

"As Forças de Defesa de Israel (IDF, na sigla em inglês) fizeram uma operação na área de Wadi al-Saluki, no sul do Líbano, com o objetivo de desmantelar supostas infraestruturas terroristas. Segundo comunicado da IDF, a ação busca remover ameaças diretas a comunidades israelenses no Dedo da Galileia e de Metula"

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel of a "scorched earth policy and collective punishment" in the south of the country. France requested a UN Security Council meeting to discuss Israeli military operations, with President Emmanuel Macron stating that "nothing justifies the major escalation currently underway in southern Lebanon."

Press quotes (2)
A Gazeta

"O primeiro-ministro libanês Nawaf Salam fez um discurso televisionado no qual acusou Israel de uma "política de terra arrasada e punição coletiva" no sul do país."

A Gazeta

"E a França, que tem laços históricos com o Líbano, solicitou uma reunião do Conselho de Segurança das Nações Unidas para discutir as operações militares israelenses."

1. What we know (1)

Israel captured Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon

2 sources A Gazeta JC
2. Where coverage thins out (2)

Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.

Covered by only some sources (1)

Netanyahu called the capture a "decisive change"

Reported by: A Gazeta
Did not cover: JC

Conflicting versions (1)

Original construction date of the castle

1 source — "Castle was built "about 900 years ago" during the Crusades": A Gazeta
1 source — "Castle built by Crusaders specifically in 1139": JC
3. What we don't know yet (3)
  • How many Israeli soldiers are involved in the current operation?

    Why it's still unknown: The IDF only mentions "significant number of ground soldiers" without specifying numbers

    Did not cover: A Gazeta JC
  • What is Hezbollah's current position on the castle capture?

    Why it's still unknown: No outlet reported official Hezbollah statements about losing control of the fortress

    Did not cover: A Gazeta JC
  • What are the specific terms of the ceasefire agreement that entered into force in April?

    Why it's still unknown: Outlets mention the ceasefire's existence but don't detail its conditions or monitoring mechanisms

    Did not cover: A Gazeta JC

All sources

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