Israeli forces have crossed the Litani River and seized the strategic Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, a move confirmed by the Israeli military on May 31, 2026. The capture of the 12th-century fortress, which sits atop a strategic hill near the city of Nabatieh, represents the deepest Israeli ground incursion into Lebanese territory since 2006. Video footage from the site shows Israeli soldiers and members of the Golani Brigade raising their flags at the Crusader-era landmark.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz characterized the advance as a critical tactical achievement. "Under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and my direction, the [Israeli military] expanded the operations in Lebanon, crossed the Litani River, and captured the Beaufort Ridge – one of the most important strategic points for defending the communities of the Galilee and safeguarding the security of our forces," Katz stated.
As the military operation intensifies, the Israeli military has issued a wave of new displacement orders for residents living south of the Zahrani River. According to the Israeli military’s Arabic spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, residents were instructed via the social media platform X to move immediately north of the Zahrani River. Adraee warned that anyone remaining in the area risked being killed, as Israel issued more than 10 such displacement orders within a 24-hour window.
The offensive is now closing in on Nabatieh, the fifth-largest city in Lebanon and a cultural hub for the region. Nabatieh is viewed by many Lebanese as a symbol of resistance due to its historic role on the front line of previous Israeli assaults. The city is considered key to the economy of southern Lebanon.
While Israeli forces push north, Hezbollah has continued to mount resistance against the invading troops. On May 31, rocket fire from Lebanon forced beachgoers in the northern Israeli city of Nahariya to flee for shelter. This incident marked the first rocket barrage directed at the coastal city in three weeks.
Broader geopolitical tensions continue to shadow the ground war on its 93rd day. US President Donald Trump told Fox News that he is in "no hurry" to secure a deal with Iran, even as US media outlets report that the White House is negotiating amendments to a preliminary agreement. In Tehran, a senior Iranian commander, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, issued a public warning regarding the ongoing hostilities. "The enemy should know that any aggression against the country’s territory will be met with a response even more forceful than before," Sayyari said.
