Arnoun mayor says Beaufort Castle damaged in Israeli strikes

BEIRUT — Arnoun's mayor (Nabatieh), Fawaz Qatbay, told our correspondent in south Lebanon on Monday that Beaufort Castle had been targeted by a series of Israeli airstrikes and intense artillery shelling, both before and after Israeli forces entered the area. According to Qatbay, the strikes hit the castle directly and caused significant damage.

He said the attacks had intensified over the past four days during the Israeli military's presence at the site, noting that he had previously issued a statement urging authorities to protect the castle from Israeli attacks. Qatbay renewed his appeal for the protection of Beaufort Castle and called for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces, warning that their continued presence would result in further destruction and additional damage.

Regarding the extent of the damage, Qatbay said no precise assessment is currently available, as access to the site remains impossible, preventing any on-site inspection or direct assessment.

The Israeli army announced on Sunday that it had "captured" the medieval Beaufort Castle, a day after reported clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces around the fortress, which sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Litani River and eastern Nabatieh district. Israel, which released photographs showing its soldiers inside the fortress and its flag flying over the site, said the operation lasted several days and involved multiple units, including the Golani and Givati brigades.