Middle East crisis live: Netanyahu hails capture of castle in Lebanon as nominal ceasefire left in tatters

Israeli offensive marks deepest incursion into country in 26 years and comes shortly before talks due to be held in the US Israeli troops capture strategic Beaufort Castle as they push deeper into Lebanon By capturing Beaufort castle and pushing past the Litani river, Israeli forces appear to be positioning themselves for a potential encirclement of Nabatieh , a city that serves as an economic centre and a cultural heartland for southern Lebanon, Lorenzo Tondo writes. Control of the surrounding hills would provide commanding views over large parts of southern Lebanon and the western Bekaa valley, offering a significant tactical advantage. Continue reading...