Defense Minister Israel Katz announced today (Sunday) that IDF forces have seized the Beaufort ridge in southern Lebanon, raising the Israeli and Golani Brigade flags over the strategic fortress 44 years after a bloody battle for the same position.
The operation came on the memorial day for fallen soldiers of the 1982 Lebanon War, including Golani troops who died fighting for Beaufort. “Following the directives of Prime Minister Netanyahu and myself, the IDF expanded its maneuver in Lebanon, crossed the Litani River, and captured the Beaufort ridge—one of the most strategically important positions for defending Galilee communities and protecting our forces,” Katz said.
The defense minister said a media blackout on the operation was lifted Sunday to prevent intelligence from reaching the enemy. Golani Brigade forces led the assault on the hilltop fortress, which overlooks northern Israel.
“This is a clear message to our enemies: whoever threatens Israeli citizens will lose their strategic assets one by one,” Katz said. “I salute the Golani fighters and all IDF soldiers who wrote another chapter of Israeli heroism in the place where our heroes fell for the homeland.”
Katz warned the campaign isn’t over. “The IDF is strong, and we are all determined to crush Hezbollah’s power and complete the mission: ensuring security for residents of the north.”