Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Saturday (Jun 22) said that Israel has no intention of withdrawing from the security zone in southern Lebanon as tensions continue to mount in the region between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. The minister’s remarks come despite a ceasefire agreed under the peace deal between the United States and Iran. Katz said that the troops would remain at the Beaufort Castle, which was captured by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in late May.“Israel has no intention of withdrawing from the Beaufort, which is an integral part of the security zone in Lebanon and essential for the defense of the Galilee settlements and IDF forces,” Katz said.“As Prime Minister Netanyahu and I have clarified - Israel will not withdraw from the security zone in Lebanon,” he added.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-stand-for-interests-of-israel-netanyahu-rejects-claims-trump-influences-his-decisions-amid-iran-war-1782095018785">‘I stand for interests of Israel’: Netanyahu rejects claims Trump influences his decisions amid Iran war</a>Lebanon’s historic Beaufort Castle and its surrounding strategic ridge were captured by the IDF on May 31. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had hailed the move as a “dramatic shift” in the country’s policy as its forces expand operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.“The capture of Beaufort is a dramatic stage and a dramatic shift in the policy we are leading,” Netanyahu said in the video message released by his office at the time. “Now my directive is to deepen and expand our hold on areas that had been under Hezbollah’s control.”Recalling the historic site, Netanyahu said that the Beaufort Castle “became a symbol of deep division within our society”. Captured by Israeli forces in during the 1982 First Lebanon War, the fortress remained under Israeli control throughout its 18-year presence in southern Lebanon before the withdrawal in 2000.<h2>Troops in Lebanon to remain ‘as long as necessary’</h2>On Saturday (Jun 21), Netanyahu said that Israeli troops will stay in southern Lebanon as long as needed, despite the ceasefire reached under the US-Iran deal. He also vowed that he would not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-will-be-main-topic-of-discussion-tehran-says-ahead-of-us-iran-talks-in-switzerland-1782034242381"> ‘Lebanon will be main topic of discussion’: Tehran says ahead of US-Iran talks in Switzerland</a>“We will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary to protect the cherished residents of the north and all the citizens of Israel... Nothing will alter that commitment,” he said.He continued, “And with regard to Iran: whatever political developments may unfold, I will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. As long as I serve as prime minister of Israel, that will not happen.”Netanyahu also reiterated that the war in the Middle East had achieved Israel’s key goal of preventing Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon.“We prevented Iran from carrying out a plan to annihilate us and today they would have had an atomic bomb to do so,” the Israeli leader said. “We prevented that from happening. We removed the existential danger. Had we not acted... Iran would have had atomic bombs and let me tell you something, they would have used them.”“That’s what we prevented,” he said.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli troops will remain in southern Lebanon’s security zone, including Beaufort Castle, despite the US-Iran-backed ceasefire, citing security concerns.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Saturday (Jun 22) said that Israel has no intention of withdrawing from the security zone in southern Lebanon as tensions continue to mount in the region between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. The minister’s remarks come despite a ceasefire agreed under the peace deal between the United States and Iran. Katz said that the troops would remain at the Beaufort Castle, which was captured by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in late May. “Israel has no intention of withdrawing from the Beaufort, which is an integral part of the security zone in Lebanon and essential for the defense of the Galilee settlements and IDF forces,” Katz said. “As Prime Minister Netanyahu and I have clarified - Israel will not withdraw from the security zone in Lebanon,” he added. Also read | ‘I stand for interests of Israel’: Netanyahu rejects claims Trump influences his decisions amid Iran war Lebanon’s historic Beaufort Castle and its surrounding strategic ridge were captured by the IDF on May 31. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had hailed the move as a “dramatic shift” in the country’s policy as its forces expand operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. “The capture of Beaufort is a dramatic stage and a dramatic shift in the policy we are leading,” Netanyahu said in the video message released by his office at the time. “Now my directive is to deepen and expand our hold on areas that had been under Hezbollah’s control.” Recalling the historic site, Netanyahu said that the Beaufort Castle “became a symbol of deep division within our society”. Captured by Israeli forces in during the 1982 First Lebanon War, the fortress remained under Israeli control throughout its 18-year presence in southern Lebanon before the withdrawal in 2000. Troops in Lebanon to remain ‘as long as necessary’ On Saturday (Jun 21), Netanyahu said that Israeli troops will stay in southern Lebanon as long as needed, despite the ceasefire reached under the US-Iran deal. He also vowed that he would not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. Also read | ‘Lebanon will be main topic of discussion’: Tehran says ahead of US-Iran talks in Switzerland “We will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary to protect the cherished residents of the north and all the citizens of Israel... Nothing will alter that commitment,” he said. He continued, “And with regard to Iran: whatever political developments may unfold, I will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. As long as I serve as prime minister of Israel, that will not happen.” Netanyahu also reiterated that the war in the Middle East had achieved Israel’s key goal of preventing Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon. “We prevented Iran from carrying out a plan to annihilate us and today they would have had an atomic bomb to do so,” the Israeli leader said. “We prevented that from happening. We removed the existential danger. Had we not acted... Iran would have had atomic bombs and let me tell you something, they would have used them.” “That’s what we prevented,” he said. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli troops will remain in southern Lebanon’s security zone, including Beaufort Castle, despite the US-Iran-backed ceasefire, citing security concerns.

‘Israel will not withdraw’: Katz says Israeli troops will remain at Beaufort in southern Lebanon

Beaufort Castle, a hilltop fortress from the medieval era in Lebanon's south, was captured by the Israeli military on Sunday (May 31). This came amid a military operation by the IDF against the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-shared-pain-pezeshkian-s-cryptic-post-sparks-rumours-amid-reports-of-resignation-1780278492277">Pezeshkian's cryptic post sparks rumours amid reports of resignation</a>“The Israeli flag is once again flying over the peaks overlooking the Galilee communities,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said at a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers of the 1982 war with Lebanon, according to The Times of Israel. “Our heroic soldiers have captured Beaufort once again and will remain there as part of the security zone in Lebanon,” he was quoted as saying.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/masterclass-in-selective-moral-outrage-iran-slams-eu-s-statement-condemning-strikes-against-kuwait-1780298501631">'Selective moral outrage': Iran slams EU's statement against strikes in Kuwait</a><h2>What is Beaufort Castle?</h2>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/20-us-military-sites-damaged-in-middle-east-since-start-of-iran-war-report-1780312456764">20 US military sites damaged in Middle East since start of Iran war: Report</a>The castle is known in Arabic as &nbsp;Qalaat al-Shaqif, a 900-year-old fortress. It was built during the 12th century by Crusaders. The Crusaders named the castle Beaufort, which means “beautiful fortress” in old French.Over time, the ownership of the castle has changed many times. It was passed from Crusader rulers to various regional powers, including the Ottoman Empire. The location and position of the castle make it one of the essential defensive strongholds in Lebanon.After the capture of the castle, the IDF now has control of an observation point over a large part of southern Lebanon and northern Israel. &nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-pm-netanyahu-orders-idf-to-strike-on-hezbollah-stronghold-in-beirut-1780291360012">Israeli PM Netanyahu orders IDF to strike Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut</a><h2>Netanyahu hails the capture</h2>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the capture of the castle a “dramatic shift” in Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon.“Today, we have returned to Beaufort in a different way. We have returned united, determined, and stronger than ever,” Netanyahu said in a video statement, AFP reports.“The capture of Beaufort is a dramatic stage and a dramatic shift in the policy we are leading. We have broken the barrier of fear. We are taking the initiative, we are operating on all fronts – in Syria, in Gaza, in Lebanon," he added.&nbsp; &nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-18-year-old-s-murder-case-has-sparked-political-battle-over-sikh-kirpans-in-uk-1780299448708">UK Kirpan row: How an 18-year-old's murder sparked a political row</a>

Israel has captured Lebanon's historic Beaufort Castle during operations against Hezbollah, gaining control of a strategic hilltop fortress that offers commanding views across southern Lebanon and northern Israel.

Beaufort Castle, a hilltop fortress from the medieval era in Lebanon's south, was captured by the Israeli military on Sunday (May 31). This came amid a military operation by the IDF against the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. Also read: Pezeshkian's cryptic post sparks rumours amid reports of resignation “The Israeli flag is once again flying over the peaks overlooking the Galilee communities,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said at a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers of the 1982 war with Lebanon, according to The Times of Israel. “Our heroic soldiers have captured Beaufort once again and will remain there as part of the security zone in Lebanon,” he was quoted as saying. Also read: 'Selective moral outrage': Iran slams EU's statement against strikes in Kuwait What is Beaufort Castle? Also read: 20 US military sites damaged in Middle East since start of Iran war: Report The castle is known in Arabic as Qalaat al-Shaqif, a 900-year-old fortress. It was built during the 12th century by Crusaders. The Crusaders named the castle Beaufort, which means “beautiful fortress” in old French. Over time, the ownership of the castle has changed many times. It was passed from Crusader rulers to various regional powers, including the Ottoman Empire. The location and position of the castle make it one of the essential defensive strongholds in Lebanon. After the capture of the castle, the IDF now has control of an observation point over a large part of southern Lebanon and northern Israel. Also read: Israeli PM Netanyahu orders IDF to strike Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut Netanyahu hails the capture Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the capture of the castle a “dramatic shift” in Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon. “Today, we have returned to Beaufort in a different way. We have returned united, determined, and stronger than ever,” Netanyahu said in a video statement, AFP reports. “The capture of Beaufort is a dramatic stage and a dramatic shift in the policy we are leading. We have broken the barrier of fear. We are taking the initiative, we are operating on all fronts – in Syria, in Gaza, in Lebanon," he added. Also read: UK Kirpan row: How an 18-year-old's murder sparked a political row

Israel has captured Lebanon's historic Beaufort Castle during operations against Hezbollah, gaining control of a strategic hilltop fortress that offers commanding views across southern Lebanon and northern Israel.

Lebanon’s Beaufort Castle: Why Israel captured 800-year-old fortress? WION Decodes

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‘Israel will not withdraw’: Katz says Israeli troops will remain at Beaufort in southern Lebanon

Why Israel captured 800-year-old Beaufort Castle? WION Decodes