Footage reveals Israeli colours flying once more over the medieval web site and smoke rising from the encircling space. THE UN Security Council will meet urgently this Monday after the choice on Sunday by Israel of Beaufort Fortress, within the south of Lebanon.
This catch marks, based on Benjamin Netanyahua “decisive turning level” in its offensive in opposition to the Hezbollah pro-Iranian, as a result of it opens the way in which for the military to advance in the direction of the Nabatiyé area.
Strategic place
Constructed by the Crusaders within the twelfth century, the fortress, also referred to as Qalaat al-Shakifsite, stands on a rocky promontory at an altitude of 710 meters and presents beautiful views of the Galilee of northern Israel, in addition to the Nabatieh area of southern Lebanon, making it a strategic place.
“The fort is semi-rectangular in form and consists of three flooring surrounded by a wall” describes UNESCO. “It underwent a number of modifications: the south aspect was strengthened with two big round towers, and a sq. tower and a hexagonal tower have been added to strengthen the fortifications. A corridor was additionally designed within the Gothic model, in addition to residential constructions courting from the Arab and Ottoman eras. Within the decrease a part of the fort there are stables, taking pictures and storage rooms, fortresses and an arsenal. »
Resulting from its geostrategic place, it has at all times been hotly contested because the time of the Crusades, reminds The Orient-The Day. Clashes over the positioning continued into the twentieth century. Israeli troops captured the fort throughout one of many first battles of the First Lebanon Conflict in 1982. Beaufort subsequently served as a base for Israeli forces throughout the 20 years of occupation of southern Lebanon, which led to 2000.
Israeli offensive exposes it to “severe hazard”, says Lebanese authorities
“Forty-four years after the heroic Battle of Beaufort, and on the event of the commemoration of peace for the Conflict of Galilee, significantly in tribute to the Golani troopers who fell throughout the Battle of Beaufort, the troopers of IDF“, led by the Golani Brigade, returned to the summit of Beaufort and raised the Israeli flag and the Golani flag there once more,” Protection Minister Israel Katz mentioned in an announcement, relate Times of Israël.
The location is classed on the listing of cultural properties beneath strengthened safety by theUnesco since November 18, 2024, after the outbreak of hostilities on the territory of Lebanon. A declaration of non-use for army functions was additionally signed on the identical date by the Lebanese Minister of Protection, testifying that “the get together having management of the cultural property declares that it’ll not be used for army functions or to guard army websites,” writes UNESCO.
A serious conservation and improvement undertaking has been undertaken in recent times by the Common Directorate of Antiquities, continues The Orient-The Day. The Israeli offensive exposes it to “severe hazard”, believes the Lebanese authorities. Beaufort just isn’t “a army web site of the resistance” however an archaeological web site, declared for his half the Hezbollah deputy, Hassan Fadlallah, who requires “the indignation of all Lebanese patriots”.
