NEWS: Israeli forces captured Lebanon’s medieval Beaufort Castle
About
- Beaufort Castle, also called Qalaat al-Shaqif or Shaqif Arnounà 900-year-old hilltop fortress in southern Lebanon, built by Crusaders in the 12th century.
- Located near Nabatieh, a few kilometres north of the Israel border
- Overlooks the Litani River as well as wide parts of southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
- Elevated position gives Israeli forces a major observation advantage over towns around Nabatieh, the western Bekaa Valley, the occupied Golan Heights and northern Galilee.
- The fortress has changed hands multiple times, including between Crusaders, regional powers, the Ottoman Empire, Palestinian fighters and Israel, which previously occupied it during its 1982 Lebanon invasion until withdrawal in 2000.
- Beaufort Castle was also among the Lebanese cultural sites placed under enhanced UNESCO protection during the previous Israel-Hezbollah war in 2024.
Litani River
- Longest river entirely within Lebanon and a key water resource in southern Lebanon.
- Originates in the Beqaa Valley, flows south parallel to the Syrian border and drains into the Mediterranean Sea near Tyre.