Israel seizes Crusader castle as Netanyahu orders renewed Lebanon push

Financial Times UK ^{1 Jun 2026}

Reporting by James Shotter in Jerusalem and Malaika Kanaaneh Tapper in Beirut

Israeli soldiers patrol a 12th century Crusader castle in southern Lebanon yesterday, after capturing the strategically located hilltop fortress.

The seizure of Beaufort, which Israel previously occupied from 1982 until 2000, came as Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered his country’s forces to expand their offensive against Hizbollah.

Clashes between Israel and the Lebanese militant group have increased in recent days as a nominal ceasefire disintegrated. The Israeli army has crossed the Litani river, declared much of southern Lebanon a “combat zone” and ordered hundreds of thousands of civilians to leave their homes.

Israel said the operation involving a “significant number” of ground troops was designed to “strengthen operational control in southern Lebanon” and remove threats from Hizbollah.

Yesterday Netanyahu said he had instructed the military to advance further. 

Israeli and Lebanese military delegations met in Washington last week as part of US-mediated negotiations seeking to shore up the nominal ceasefire and disarm Hizbollah. Talks are due to resume this week.