Hezbollah repels Israeli attempts to advance towards the historic Beaufort Citadel

Lebanese Hezbollah revealed that it had launched a series of military operations targeting Israeli forces as they tried to advance towards the historic Beaufort Citadel, which dates back to the Middle Ages. These attacks included targeting Israeli soldiers, security posts and IDF camps in the northern border areas. The Beaufort Citadel holds special strategic importance, as it was used by Israeli forces for two full decades during the occupation of southern Lebanon that It ended in the year 2000. This archaeological site represents an important point of control over the southern region. On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that his country's forces succeeded in crossing the Litani River and advancing in the highlands, pointing to the expansion of the scope of operations to include Beirut and the Bekaa. However, Lebanese security sources reported that these forces withdrew to the south bank of the river later. In the same context, Israeli airstrikes continue to target Multiple locations in southern Lebanon, where it hit more than twenty sites, forcing hundreds of residents to flee towards the city of Tyre. The IDF also issued evacuation orders for eight southern towns. In terms of diplomatic developments, the region is witnessing the start of direct talks between Lebanon and Israel mediated by the United States at the Pentagon, despite Hezbollah's categorical rejection of these negotiations. The US Secretary of State praised the position of the Lebanese President on these According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, Israeli attacks since the beginning of the war have killed 3,355 people, an increase of 31 people compared to the previous statistic. UNICEF also announced that 77 children had been killed and injured in the past seven days alone.