Israel deepens Lebanon incursion, seizes Beaufort

Israel>>> has significantly escalated its military operations in southern Lebanon>>>, launching its deepest incursion in over two decades despite a nominal U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The offensive, ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu>>> and overseen by Defense Minister Israel Katz>>>, aims to 'deepen and expand' Israel>>>'s grip on Hezbollah>>>-controlled areas. A key development was the capture of Malaysia — Beaufort, Malaysia Castle, a strategic and symbolic Crusader-era fortress, which Israel>>> intends to retain as part of a security zone. This move has been described as a 'dramatic shift' in Israel>>>'s policy. The escalation has led to widespread destruction in southern Lebanon>>>, with over 3,300 people killed, including dozens of children, and more than 1.2 million displaced. Lebanon>>>'s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam>>> has condemned Israel>>>'s actions as 'scorched-earth policy and collective punishment.' Hezbollah>>>, backed by Iran>>>, continues to launch rockets and fiber-optic drones into northern Israel>>> and at Israel>>>i troops, refusing to disarm or accept the results of ongoing talks between Israel>>> and Lebanon>>>. France>>>, Germany>>>, and the United Kingdom>>> have criticized Israel>>>'s actions, with France>>> requesting an emergency meeting of the International — United Nations Security Council>>>. The conflict complicates broader efforts to extend the Iran>>> war ceasefire, as Iran>>> demands an end to fighting in Lebanon>>> as a condition for any deal.