Israeli Strikes Near Beaufort Castle Threaten Cultural Heritage Sites

Israeli air and artillery strikes were reported near the historic Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon on Saturday, as escalating hostilities between Israeli forces and the militant group Hezbollah continued across multiple border regions.

According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, the strikes targeted areas surrounding the Crusader-era fortress, a strategically significant site overlooking large parts of southern Lebanon and located roughly 15 kilometres from the Israeli border. The castle, once held by Israeli troops for 18 years before their withdrawal in 2000, remains both a military vantage point and a symbol of deep historical heritage.

The attacks came amid intensified operations near villages around Nabatiyeh , including Yohmor and Zawtar al-Sharqieh. Reports said Israeli forces had crossed the Litani River, marking one of the deepest ground advances into Lebanon since 2000.

The escalation followed a day after Lebanese and Israeli military officials held rare direct talks in Washington. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam later said Beirut would intensify diplomatic efforts to stop strikes, evacuation warnings, and destruction of homes and historic sites.

In a televised address, Salam accused Israel of pursuing a “policy of total destruction,” warning that continued strikes were displacing civilians and threatening Lebanon’s cultural and historical identity. He said negotiations remain uncertain but are currently the “least costly option,” with further talks scheduled in Washington next week.

Fighting also continued across southern Lebanon. Lebanese authorities reported that an airstrike in Ansar killed three people, while a drone strike near Nabatiyeh injured Lebanese soldiers. In response, Hezbollah said it fired rockets toward Israeli border cities including Kiryat Shmona and Safed .

The violence has also caused heavy civilian losses. A Syrian family of eight, including six children, was killed in an Israeli strike on Adloun, highlighting the widening humanitarian toll of the conflict.

Meanwhile, violence in the Gaza Strip also continued, where a Palestinian nurse was killed in a strike in Deir al-Balah. Hospitals reported additional injuries, underscoring the fragile nature of ceasefire arrangements.

Experts and international organisations such as UNESCO have repeatedly warned that modern warfare increasingly endangers cultural and historical heritage. Sites like Beaufort Castle illustrate this risk, as ancient monuments often sit within active military zones, making them vulnerable to damage or destruction.

Across multiple conflict theatres, from Lebanon to Gaza and beyond, the latest developments underline a growing concern: war is not only reshaping borders and populations but also putting centuries of shared human heritage at risk.