Israel expands Lebanon offensive, captures Beaufort Castle

Israel>>> has significantly expanded its ground operations in southern Lebanon>>> against Hezbollah>>>, capturing the strategic Beaufort Castle and issuing new evacuation warnings to residents south of the Zahrani river. This escalation follows a period of intensified drone and missile attacks by Hezbollah>>> on Israeli troops and communities, which Israel>>> states are violations of a temporary ceasefire. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu>>> described the capture of Beaufort Castle as a 'dramatic stage and dramatic change' in policy, indicating a deeper engagement in Lebanese territory. The conflict has resulted in casualties, including 13 hospital staff injured in an Israeli airstrike in Tyre, Lebanon>>>, and an Israeli soldier killed. International reactions have been critical, with France>>>, Germany>>>, and the United Kingdom>>> condemning Israel's>>> actions and calling for de-escalation. France>>> has requested a International — United Nations Security Council>>> meeting. Lebanon's>>> Prime Minister Nawaf Salam>>> has accused Israel>>> of a 'scorched-earth policy' and 'collective punishment', while emphasizing ongoing negotiations in Washington as the only path to peace, despite Hezbollah's>>> non-involvement. The conflict initially reignited in early March after Hezbollah>>> retaliated for the killing of Iran's>>> Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei>>> by an Israeli strike.