One of the most famous castles of the Crusader era has once again become a battlefield. Israeli forces have occupied Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, marking their deepest incursion into the country in more than a quarter century and returning the medieval fortress to the centre of a modern conflict.
Located on a rocky hill overlooking the Litani River valley, Beaufort Castle—also known as Qal’at al-Shaqif—has long been one of the most strategically important strongholds in the Levant. Dating back to the twelfth century, the fortress commands sweeping views across southern Lebanon and northern Israel, making it a prized military position for nearly 900 years.
The seizure of Beaufort Castle is part of the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah that has engulfed southern Lebanon since March 2026. Israeli officials say the operation was aimed at eliminating Hezbollah positions on the Beaufort Ridge, which they accuse the Iran-backed group of using to launch rockets and drones into northern Israel. The offensive comes amid a fragile ceasefire and forms part of a wider regional conflict involving Israel, Hezbollah, Iran, and the United States.
Previously, the Green Southerners Association, which is dedicated to protecting Lebanon’s natural and cultural heritage, reported that Israeli forces had bombarded the castle with artillery and white phosphorous:
BREAKING: Israءl has directly struck Beaufort Castle (Qalaat Al-Shaqif), one of Lebanon’s most important cultural heritage sites, after days of relentless artillery bombardment targeting its immediate surroundings.@UNESCOBEIRUT@UNESCOarabicpic.twitter.com/s4To3CGEKq
— Green Southerners الجنوبيون الخضر (@GreenSoutherns) May 27, 2026
According to a statement from Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), “the activity began several days ago, in which numerous ground forces, including the Golani Brigade, the 7th Brigade, the Givati Brigade, the Fire Brigade and the Multidimensional Unit operating under the command of the 36th Division and under the intelligence guidance of the Military Intelligence Directorate, began offensive activity to expand the front defense line.”
The operation drew criticism from Lebanon and several foreign governments. France called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, while Saudi Arabia and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned Israeli military actions in Lebanon as violations of the country’s sovereignty.
Israeli forces at Beaufort Castle – Photo source: IDF
This is not the first time the castle has become embroiled in a conflict between Israel and Lebanon. In 1982, Israeli forces attacked Beaufort, which was occupied by members of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). Although the battle involved small forces from each side – 88 soldiers from Golani Brigade of Israel and about 30 fighters from Fatah student battalion – the Battle of Beaufort was remembered as a key engagement in Israel’s war and occupation of southern Lebanon.
Israeli forces remained at the castle for 18 years, before withdrawing in the year 2000. The castle continued to have prominence among Israelis, especially the 2007 film Beaufort, directed by Joseph Cedar. The film, which was controversial for its anti-war stance, focused not on the 1982 assault itself but on Israeli soldiers stationed at the castle shortly before Israel’s withdrawal.
The memory of this event was noted in a social media post by Israel Katz, the Minister of Defense of Israel. Writing on X/Twitter, he commented that “44 years after the heroic battle for the Beaufort, and on the memorial day for the fallen of the Peace for Galilee War, including Golani Brigade soldiers who fell in the battle for the Beaufort – IDF fighters, led by the Golani Brigade, returned to the peak of the Beaufort and raised the flag of Israel and the flag of Golani over it once again.”
44 שנים אחרי קרב הגבורה על הבופור, וביום האזכרה לחללי מלחמת שלום הגליל ובהם חיילי גולני שנפלו בקרב על הבופור – לוחמי צה"ל ובראשם חטיבת גולני, שבו אל פסגת הבופור והניפו עליה מחדש את דגל ישראל ואת דגל גולני.
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 31, 2026
This may not have even been the first time that Israeli forces occupied the castle in the current fighting. In April, local residents found an Israeli flag set up in Beaufort, which was afterwards removed.
The conflict between 1982 and 2000 left Beaufort Castle heavily damaged after years of bombardment, military occupation, and fighting around the site. A 2003 report documented the fragile condition of the medieval fortress and highlighted the need for urgent conservation work. Restoration efforts finally began in 2011, supported by a $3.5 million fund jointly financed by Kuwait and Lebanon. It has since become a local tourist attraction.
The medieval history of Beaufort Castle began after 1139, when Crusader forces under King Fulk of Jerusalem captured an earlier fortification on the site. The castle was subsequently controlled by the lords of Sidon until it fell to Saladin in 1190 during the Third Crusade. About fifty years later, Beaufort was returned to Crusader hands through a peace treaty. For a period it was held by the Knights Templar, before being captured once more in 1268 by forces led by the Mamluk Sultan Baybars.
Beaufort Castle continued to serve as a regional stronghold for several centuries afterward, although its military importance gradually declined. The site suffered heavy damage during an earthquake in 1837, leaving much of the structure in ruins. European archaeologists and travellers began documenting and exploring the castle in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Israel targeted a historic landmark with white phosphorus and intense bombardment: Beaufort Castle, 30 May 2026.
استهدفت قوات الاحتلال معلماً تاريخياً بالفوسفور الأبيض والقصف العنيف: قلعة الشقيف (Beaufort Castle)، 30 أيار/مايو pic.twitter.com/rff3H0lfYr
— Green Southerners الجنوبيون الخضر (@GreenSoutherns) May 31, 2026
One of the most famous castles of the Crusader era has once again become a battlefield. Israeli forces have occupied Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, marking their deepest incursion into the country in more than a quarter century and returning the medieval fortress to the centre of a modern conflict.
Located on a rocky hill overlooking the Litani River valley, Beaufort Castle—also known as Qal’at al-Shaqif—has long been one of the most strategically important strongholds in the Levant. Dating back to the twelfth century, the fortress commands sweeping views across southern Lebanon and northern Israel, making it a prized military position for nearly 900 years.
The seizure of Beaufort Castle is part of the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah that has engulfed southern Lebanon since March 2026. Israeli officials say the operation was aimed at eliminating Hezbollah positions on the Beaufort Ridge, which they accuse the Iran-backed group of using to launch rockets and drones into northern Israel. The offensive comes amid a fragile ceasefire and forms part of a wider regional conflict involving Israel, Hezbollah, Iran, and the United States.
Previously, the Green Southerners Association, which is dedicated to protecting Lebanon’s natural and cultural heritage, reported that Israeli forces had bombarded the castle with artillery and white phosphorous:
According to a statement from Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), “the activity began several days ago, in which numerous ground forces, including the Golani Brigade, the 7th Brigade, the Givati Brigade, the Fire Brigade and the Multidimensional Unit operating under the command of the 36th Division and under the intelligence guidance of the Military Intelligence Directorate, began offensive activity to expand the front defense line.”
The operation drew criticism from Lebanon and several foreign governments. France called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, while Saudi Arabia and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned Israeli military actions in Lebanon as violations of the country’s sovereignty.
This is not the first time the castle has become embroiled in a conflict between Israel and Lebanon. In 1982, Israeli forces attacked Beaufort, which was occupied by members of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). Although the battle involved small forces from each side – 88 soldiers from Golani Brigade of Israel and about 30 fighters from Fatah student battalion – the Battle of Beaufort was remembered as a key engagement in Israel’s war and occupation of southern Lebanon.
Israeli forces remained at the castle for 18 years, before withdrawing in the year 2000. The castle continued to have prominence among Israelis, especially the 2007 film Beaufort, directed by Joseph Cedar. The film, which was controversial for its anti-war stance, focused not on the 1982 assault itself but on Israeli soldiers stationed at the castle shortly before Israel’s withdrawal.
The memory of this event was noted in a social media post by Israel Katz, the Minister of Defense of Israel. Writing on X/Twitter, he commented that “44 years after the heroic battle for the Beaufort, and on the memorial day for the fallen of the Peace for Galilee War, including Golani Brigade soldiers who fell in the battle for the Beaufort – IDF fighters, led by the Golani Brigade, returned to the peak of the Beaufort and raised the flag of Israel and the flag of Golani over it once again.”
This may not have even been the first time that Israeli forces occupied the castle in the current fighting. In April, local residents found an Israeli flag set up in Beaufort, which was afterwards removed.
The conflict between 1982 and 2000 left Beaufort Castle heavily damaged after years of bombardment, military occupation, and fighting around the site. A 2003 report documented the fragile condition of the medieval fortress and highlighted the need for urgent conservation work. Restoration efforts finally began in 2011, supported by a $3.5 million fund jointly financed by Kuwait and Lebanon. It has since become a local tourist attraction.
The medieval history of Beaufort Castle began after 1139, when Crusader forces under King Fulk of Jerusalem captured an earlier fortification on the site. The castle was subsequently controlled by the lords of Sidon until it fell to Saladin in 1190 during the Third Crusade. About fifty years later, Beaufort was returned to Crusader hands through a peace treaty. For a period it was held by the Knights Templar, before being captured once more in 1268 by forces led by the Mamluk Sultan Baybars.
Beaufort Castle continued to serve as a regional stronghold for several centuries afterward, although its military importance gradually declined. The site suffered heavy damage during an earthquake in 1837, leaving much of the structure in ruins. European archaeologists and travellers began documenting and exploring the castle in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
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