Beaufort Castle is a medieval hilltop fortress in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border. Known as a commanding strategic position overlooking the Litani River valley, it has been contested by multiple armed actors including the PLO, Israel, and Hezbollah across decades of conflict. Recently, IDF forces captured the site, discovered Hezbollah tunnel networks beneath it, and established a permanent military presence there. Last updated Jul 4th, 2026
Israel's defense minister: A strong security zone has been established in Lebanon, from the sea in the west to Beaufort Castle and Mount Hermon in the east. Forces will keep operating there until Hezbollah is disarmed.
IDF Chief of Staff Gen. Eyal Zamir, from the Beaufort Castle area: Hezbollah built underground systems and tunnels here over decades, with Iranian funding and direction, to threaten northern towns. Our forces now control the key positions a...
IDF Chief of Staff Gen. Eyal Zamir, from the Beaufort Castle area: Hezbollah built underground systems and tunnels here over decades, with Iranian funding and direction, to threaten northern towns. Our forces now control the key positions above ground and these routes and facilities below it.
The Lebanese army must fulfill its obligations under the agreement and clear the area of Hezbollah operatives. The IDF will keep working to remove threats from Lebanese territory and is ready to move quickly to an offensive if the ceasefire is violated.
Zamir: Hezbollah is exhausted and has been defeated in every clash with our forces.
“Israel has no intention of withdrawing from the Beaufort, which is an integral part of the security zone in Lebanon and essential for the defense of the Galilee settlements and IDF forces.
As Prime Minister Netanyahu and I have clarified - Israel will not withdraw from the security zone in Lebanon.”
Israel is weighing limited pullbacks from parts of southern Lebanon, including Beaufort, according to Channel 12. Senior officials say no formal U.S. withdrawal request has been received. "Our message at all levels is the same. Staying on the yellow line is a red line."
IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin says Israeli forces retain "full operational freedom of action to remove threats in any area" of southern Lebanon, with no restrictions.
Troops are demolishing Hezbollah tunnel systems at Beaufort Castle and the Ali Taher ridge - described as the group's "central command centers." Defrin accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire by fighting to defend infrastructure it built over years.
Saudi channel Al Hadath aired footage of a Hezbollah tunnel beneath Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, reportedly revealing part of the group's underground infrastructure near the Israeli border.
The footage is believed to have originated from Israeli sources.
Saudi channel Al Hadath published footage from a Hezbollah tunnel under Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon. Footage likely transferred by Israeli sources.
Hezbollah operatives fleeing a major tunnel network near Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon were struck and killed by the IAF, the IDF says. Egoz unit commandos had identified the fighters days earlier using a drone inside the tunnel routes. Footage released by the military shows one gunman firing on the drone before the group was hit.
IDF released footage from its operation on the Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon. Two armed Hezbollah fighters were identified near Beaufort Castle, a tank struck them before an IAF drone completed the elimination.
IDF released footage of three Hezbollah operatives eliminated after firing explosive drones at Israeli forces near Beaufort. Maglan Unit soldier SFC Adam Tsarfati was killed in the incident.
IDF forces also found a weapons cache in the area with rockets and explosive drones ready to launch.
According to Alma Research, the IDF foiled a Hezbollah plot to destroy the Qaraoun Dam and trigger massive flooding in an effort to block IDF forces from crossing the Litani River and advancing toward Beaufort Castle and the Ali al-Taher Ridge.
Overnight, the IDF has captured the Beaufort Castle.
The iconic sign originally placed at Beaufort in 1982, later moved to Sayeret Golani headquarters, is being brought back to the fortress. Sayeret Golani captured the site tonight and is establishing a new base there. The sign is expected to be reinstalled.
Golani Sayeret fighter to i24NEWS from the Beaufort:
"Over 20 Hezbollah fighters were waiting for us. Every approach was blocked and booby-trapped. We went in at three in the afternoon. By nightfall we had our flags on the summit."
"Last night, our heroic fighters captured the Beaufort castle. They proudly raised the flag of the State of Israel and the flag of the Golani Brigade there.
I remind you that 44 years ago, this place wa...
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
"Last night, our heroic fighters captured the Beaufort castle. They proudly raised the flag of the State of Israel and the flag of the Golani Brigade there.
I remind you that 44 years ago, this place was a symbol of a heroic battle by our fighters, but it was also a symbol of deep division among us.
Today, we returned to Beaufort differently. We returned united, determined, and stronger than ever. I spoke with the fighters on the northern border on Friday. They told me: 'Tell the people of Israel what we are doing here. Prime Minister, the public doesn't know what achievements we have made.'
Well, since the beginning of the War of Redemption we have eliminated 8,000 Hezbollah terrorists. Since Operation Roaring Lion – 3,000. In the past month alone – 700. This is more than everyone we eliminated during the Second Lebanon War.
I have instructed the IDF to expand the incursion in Lebanon. Our forces have crossed the Litani River. They took dominant terrain. They captured the Beaufort ridge. And now my instruction is to deepen and expand our hold on places that were under Hezbollah's control.
The capture of Beaufort is a dramatic stage and a dramatic change in the policy we are leading. We have broken the barrier of fear. We are taking the initiative, we are operating on all fronts – in Syria, in Gaza, in Lebanon; we have established security zones beyond our borders to protect our communities.
On Friday, I spoke with the brigade commanders. They are daring brigade commanders, inside the territory, leading the heroic soldiers. And they told me: 'Prime Minister, we are carrying out the mission. We are charging forward – and Hezbollah is fleeing for its life.' And I told them: 'I am with you. The entire nation of Israel is with you. It will take more time, but we will restore security to the residents of the North, just as we did for the residents of the South.'
It will take time, but we will complete the mission."
IDF forces have begun establishing a presence in the Beaufort Castle area of southern Lebanon.
Northern Command launched an operation along the Beaufort Ridge and the Saluki Valley to destroy terrorist infrastructure and eliminate operatives, as part of efforts to strengthen operational control in southern Lebanon and remove threats to Metula and the Galilee Panhandle.
