Israeli troops capture strategic Beaufort Castle as they push deeper into Lebanon

Defence minister announces seizure of fortress as advance against Hezbollah moves beyond Litani River Middle East crisis – live updates Israeli troops have captured the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle and its strategic ridge in southern Lebanon in a major advance against Hezbollah that took them beyond the Litani River – their deepest incursion into the country in more than 26 years. After days of intense fighting and airstrikes in nearby villages, the Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, said the military had captured the fortress, also known as Qalaat al-Shakif, which the Israel Defense Forces used as a base during their previous occupation of southern Lebanon between 1982 and 2000. Continue reading...