Israel captures Beaufort Castle, expands Lebanon offensive

Israel>>> has escalated its military offensive in southern Lebanon>>>, capturing the medieval Beaufort Castle on May 31, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu>>> described as a 'dramatic shift' in the campaign against Hezbollah>>>. This move signals Israel>>>'s intent to deepen and expand its control in areas previously held by Hezbollah>>>. In response, Hezbollah>>> has targeted Israeli forces near the fortress and infrastructure in northern Israel>>>. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with eight people killed in an Israeli strike on Deir Zahrani and 13 hospital staffers wounded in Tyre. The Lebanese health ministry reports over 3,412 deaths since early March, while Israel>>> states 25 military deaths and 900 Hezbollah>>> terrorists eliminated. The escalation has prompted France>>> to request an emergency meeting of the International — United Nations Security Council>>>, with President Emmanuel Macron>>> calling for an end to the fighting. Despite a truce initiated on April 17, both sides accuse each other of daily violations. Security talks between Lebanon>>> and Israel>>>, brokered by the United States>>>, are ongoing.