Israel seizes Beaufort Castle in Lebanon as ground offensive expands

Israel's army said it has seized Beaufort Castle, a 12th-century site near the Arnon Valley close to the Litani River in southern Lebanon, on the fourth day of its ground offensive. According to BBC Middle East, the castle, sitting at roughly 700 metres, has historically been the region's most strategic observation point. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari said the castle 'is regarded as a key observation and coordination point' and that 'guarantees have been put in place to keep it from being used against civilian positions or for inhumane purposes'.

Lebanon's health ministry spokesperson Firass Abiad said that at least 22 civilians have died and 78 have been wounded in strikes across southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said the operation 'tests the buffer-zone framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1701'. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati told the BBC that the situation 'could rapidly escape regional containment'.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on the parties, via his special representative Geir Pedersen who travelled from Beirut to New York, to remain within Resolution 1701. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas announced that the EU Foreign Affairs Council will meet in an extraordinary session on Monday and that proposals for individual sanctions targeting Israel will be on the table. Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli urged 'an immediate ceasefire under international law to prevent civilian casualties'. This article is not investment or travel advice.