Israeli Forces Seize Beaufort Castle Across Litani River as Southern Lebanon Operation Expands
Updated
Updated · ABC News · Jun 13
Israeli Forces Seize Beaufort Castle Across Litani River as Southern Lebanon Operation Expands
3 articles · Updated · ABC News · Jun 13
Summary
Israeli troops pushed beyond their earlier buffer zone in southern Lebanon, crossing the Litani River and taking the Crusader-era Beaufort Castle as Operation "Eternal Darkness" widened.
The expansion came despite renewed ceasefire terms on June 10, with Israel citing intensified Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks; Alma Research Center counted 230 attack waves into Israel since April 17.
Israeli evacuation orders now extend as far as the Zahrani River, covering about 14% of Lebanon, while analysts say at least 63 towns and villages lie inside the occupied area.
The widening offensive has deepened the human toll: Lebanon says more than 3,600 people have been killed since March and over 1 million displaced, while 27 Israeli soldiers have died in the same period.
The advance underscores Israel's broader use of cross-border buffer zones in Gaza, Syria and Lebanon, raising fears the southern Lebanon occupation could become long-term.
Is Israel's advance into Lebanon a final military push for peace, or a permanent redrawing of the region's map?
As diplomats debate a ceasefire, who will protect the civilians and rescue workers being targeted on the ground?
Can a U.S.-Iran deal halt the war while their forces directly clash in the Strait of Hormuz?
2026 Lebanon-Israel Conflict: Army Withdrawal, Israeli Offensive, and the Collapse of Ceasefire Efforts
Overview
On June 13, 2026, the Lebanese Army made a strategic withdrawal from its base in Kfar Tebnit due to a rapid Israeli military advance and the escalating intensity of conflict in southern Lebanon. This decision was driven by the urgent need to protect Lebanese Armed Forces personnel from the increasingly untenable risk of being caught in crossfire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. Severe military action and widespread airstrikes, especially around Nabatiyeh, created a hazardous environment, making the Army’s continued presence unsustainable and leading to a significant shift in the balance of power in the region.