Smoke rises near Beaufort Castle which was captured by Israeli forces, as seen from Marjayoun, southern Lebanon, June 3, 2026. (Credit: Stringer/Reuters)
BEIRUT — On Sunday during the opening of a government meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah claimed that the Israeli army has killed "350 Hezbollah members" over just the past week, without providing any further details.
Since March 2, Israel has killed at least 3593 people — including at least 1,209 children and 131 medics — in Lebanon, according to data from the Lebanese Health Ministry.
Additionally, Netanyahu boasted that his invading troops have taken control of Beaufort Castle, in the Nabatieh district, claiming that his troops discovered "Hezbollah infrastructure" at the historic site, according to Israeli media reports, without providing any evidence to such claims. Nonetheless, the historic fortress that dates back to Crusaders era, is known to harbor an extensive tunnel system as part of its well-preserved structure.
"We are finishing the elimination of terrorist villages located near our border. We are striking them with great force, and we know that Hezbollah is in disarray," Netanyahu claimed. "We will not tolerate any fire at our territory or our communities, and we will act accordingly," he added.
The Israeli army has continued its incessant strikes across Lebanon, which its invading troops continue to push deeper into Lebanese territory in violation with the cease-fire reached in mid-April. Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues to attack Israeli troops inside Lebanese territory, but has stopped its attacks on northern Israel since June 2, after Israel threatened striking Beirut and its suburbs. Following a push from U.S. President Donald Trump, Israel withheld its attack on Beirut. But, on Sunday, June 7, the Israeli army struck the Mreijeh neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburbs. The Israeli army said that the attack was "in response to Hezbollah's fire on northern Israel," according to Haaretz.
