Israel seizes strategic castle as it pounds southern city of Sour

Israel seizes strategic castle as it pounds southern city of Sour Submitted by MEE staff on Sun, 05/31/2026 - 09:44 Israeli prime minister orders deeper incursion into Lebanon, as army issues sweeping expulsion order A man looks at the destruction at the site of an Israeli strike in Sour, southern Lebanon, on 28 May 2026 (Kawnat Haju/AFP) Off Israeli troops have captured the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle and the strategic ridge surrounding it in southern Lebanon , the military said on Sunday, as it expands its offensive despite a nominal ceasefire. The capture of the medieval castle and ridge deepens Israeli footprint in the country beyond the demarcation zone known as the "Yellow Line", which it established in April following the ceasefire. It comes after days of intense fighting and air strikes in nearby villages, where Israeli troops fought Hezbollah members in the rugged area.