Israel controls the strategic Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon

Israel announced on Sunday its control of the strategic Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, where it raised its flag, according to what a video clip from Agence France-Presse showed, coinciding with the Israeli army announcing the expansion of its ground operations a few days ago and Lebanon accusing it of implementing a “scorched earth policy.”

At the same time, the Israeli army issued evacuation orders to residents of the area south of the Zahrani River in Lebanon, about 40 kilometers from the border with Israel, in preparation for further military operations despite a ceasefire announced in April.

The Israeli raids on Lebanon since the start of the war on March 2 have led to the death of 3,371 people, while the Israeli army announced on Sunday the killing of a soldier in a march launched by Hezbollah, bringing to 25 the number of people killed since the start of the war, namely 24 soldiers and a civilian contractor.