Tel Aviv, May 31 -- Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, on Sunday hailed the capture of the Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon as a major strategic achievement, announcing that Israeli forces had crossed the Litani River and expanded military operations against Hezbollah positions north of the river.

In a post on X, Katz said the operation coincided with the anniversary of the 1982 Battle of Beaufort during the Peace for Galilee War, describing the latest military action as a symbolic return to a site deeply associated with Israeli military history.

"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 ...