Lebanon: Beaufort Fortress in the hands of the Israeli army, Paris seizes the UN

Beaufort Fortress – The Israeli offensive reaches a new stage in southern Lebanon. Israeli forces seize a strategic and symbolic site. This advance takes place in a context of war launched on March 2 and increased diplomatic tensions.

The Israeli army announces that it has taken control of the Beaufort Fortress. This medieval site overlooks southern Lebanon and part of northern Israel. It opens the way for progression towards the Nabatiyé region.

The Israeli Prime Minister declares: “The capture of Beaufort is a spectacular step and a decisive turning point.” He adds: “My instructions are to deepen and expand our control of places that were under Hezbollah control.”

Defense Minister Israel Katz says: “Forty-four years after the heroic Battle of Beaufort,” soldiers “returned to the summit of Beaufort and once again raised the flag of Israel.”

France reacts and requests an emergency meeting of the Security Council. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot declares that “nothing can justify the prolongation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon and its occupation deeper and deeper into Lebanese territory.”

The offensive comes as the United States negotiates with Iran to end the regional conflict. Tehran conditions any agreement on an end to hostilities in Lebanon.

Discussions between Israel and Lebanon are to be held on June 2 and 3 in Washington. A military meeting already took place at the Pentagon on Friday, without leading to an effective ceasefire.

Since the start of the war, Beirut has recorded more than 3,371 deaths and more than a million displaced people. The Israeli army announces the death of a soldier, killed by a Hezbollah explosive drone.

Thirteen employees are injured in a strike near a hospital in Tyre, according to the Health Ministry. The National Information Agency also reports bombings on several villages in the south.

Israel orders the evacuation of a vast area between its border and the Zahrani River, located about forty kilometers further north.

After crossing the Litani River, the Israeli army indicated that it had “extended its operations against Hezbollah targets north of the river”. It also carries out strikes against infrastructure in Tire and other areas of the south.

Hezbollah claims to have targeted Israeli positions in Shlomi, Nahariya and the Krayot region. An Israeli military spokesperson said: “No direct impacts have been reported in northern Israel over the past hour.”

The army specifies that the majority of the projectiles “were intercepted” and that others “fell in uninhabited areas”, without causing any injuries.

Beaufort Fortress has strategic and symbolic value. It served as a base for Israeli forces during the occupation of southern Lebanon, which ended in 2000.

Since 2024, the site has benefited from enhanced protection from UNESCO. The Lebanese Minister of Culture, Ghassan Salamé, speaks of a “serious danger” linked to the Israeli offensive.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam criticizes Israeli strategy. He denounces a “policy of scorched earth and collective punishment” which “would bring neither security nor stability”.

He nevertheless defends the continuation of direct negotiations with Israel. He considers them to be “the least expensive path” for Lebanon, despite the rejection of these discussions by Hezbollah.