Middle East: Israel captures key fortress amid Lebanon push

Middle East: Israel captures key fortress amid Lebanon push Published May 30, 2026last updated May 31, 2026What you need to know - Israel says its troops have captured the strategic Beaufort fortress in southern Lebanon after clashes with Iran-backed militants Hezbollah - France's foreign minister requests an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council after Israel's announcement - Donald Trump claims Iran has agreed not to have nuclear weapons - US reports say American and Iranian officials reached a framework agreement to end the war earlier this week - Trump reportedly asks for some of the terms of the deal to be toughened - Iran has 'no trust' in US in deal talks, says negotiator Qalibaf Keep reading for the developments on Iran and across the Middle East from Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31: Tired of missing our real-time updates? Click here to add us as a Preferred Source on Google. Then tap the "Star" or "Preferred" to keep DW News at the top of your feed. Netanyahu says Beaufort capture marks 'dramatic shift' in Lebanon offensive Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has ordered troops to push further into Lebanon as part of the campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. "I instructed the (military) to expand its ground maneuver in Lebanon," Netanyahu said. The comments came as Israeli forces seized the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle, near the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh, and raised the Israeli flag there. Netanyahu described the capture as a "dramatic shift" in the fight against Hezbollah. "The capture of Beaufort is a dramatic stage and a dramatic shift in the policy we are leading. We have broken the barrier of fear," he said, adding that Israel would also take control of other areas previously controlled by Hezbollah. The Beaufort fortress is important because it is located on high ground and affords vast views over much of southern Lebanon. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said soldiers will retain control of the site as part of a "security zone." "The campaign is not over yet," he said. "We are all determined to crush Hezbollah's power." There were no immediate comments from Lebanon or Hezbollah. Israel's latest advance follows heavy clashes with the militant group in villages near the fortress. A ceasefire in the conflict has been in place since mid-April, but both sides have accused each other of multiple violations since then. Israeli forces previously seized the Crusader-built Beaufort castle, also known as Qalaat al-Shakif, in 1982 and held it until they withdrew from Lebanon in 2000. Iran has 'no trust' in US, says negotiator Qalibaf Iran's main negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, says his country does not trust the US and will not accept any deal to end the war unless the rights of the Iranian people are guaranteed. "There is no trust in the enemy's words and promises. Our only criterion is to achieve tangible results before we fulfill our commitments in return," he said in comments broadcast on state television. "We will not approve any agreement until we are certain that the rights of the Iranian people have been upheld," he said. His remarks came as Tehran and Washington continue to negotiate over a framework for an agreement to formally end the Middle East conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. On Saturday, The New York Times and Axios media outlets reported that US President Donald Trump had sent Iran a new framework proposal with "tougher" terms. Trump has stressed that his priorities include reopening the Hormuz shipping route and ensuring Iran can never develop a nuclear weapon. Iran, meanwhile, is seeking sanctions relief and the release of its assets frozen in banks abroad. Tehran has also called for Israel’s invasion of Lebanon to be covered by any deal to end the conflict. France requests UN Security Council 'emergency meeting' on Lebanon France's foreign minister says he has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council after Israeli forces captured the Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon. "I have requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council because, while we recognize Israel's right, like that of all countries, to self-defense ... nothing can justify the continuation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon and its ever-deeper occupation of Lebanese territory," Jean-Noel Barrot said on the BFMTV channel. The foreign minister added that Israel's incursion "is not only contrary to Israel's commitments — given that a ceasefire has been in place in Lebanon since April 17 — but it is also contrary to international law." Israel announced it had seized the strategically important medieval fortress of Beaufort earlier on Sunday, saying its flag had been raised over the citadel. It came as Israeli forces expanded their ground invasion against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants and issued a sweeping order for residents in large parts of southern Lebanon to leave. Israel announces capture of strategic Beaufort Castle in Lebanon Israel's defense minister says troops have captured the strategic medieval fortress of Beaufort in southern Lebanon. The announcement came as Israel expanded its ground operations against the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Israeli forces previously seized the Crusader-built castle, also known as Qalaat al-Shakif, in 1982 and held it until they withdrew from Lebanon in 2000. "Forty-four years after the heroic Battle of Beaufort, and on this day commemorating the soldiers who fell in the First Lebanon War (1982), our troops have returned to the summit of Beaufort and once again raised the Israeli flag there," Defense Minister Israel Katz said on his Telegram channel. Located near the city of Nabatiyeh, the fortress is considered strategically important as it offers sweeping views over southern Lebanon. Its capture follows days of intense fighting between Hezbollah and Israeli troops in nearby villages. There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah or the Lebanese government. The Israeli military said in a statement that it launched an operation a few days ago in the Beaufort Ridge with the aim of dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure and removing "direct threats to Israeli civilians." Israel has expanded its ground invasion in southern Lebanon in recent days by sending troops across the Litani River, which previously served as a de facto boundary. The war between Israel and Hezbollah has killed at least 3,350 people and displaced more than 1 million in Lebanon. Twenty-five Israeli soldiers have been killed in the operation, as well as two civilians in northern Israel, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. Trump says Iran has agreed to not have nuclear weapons President Donald Trump said the only guarantee he had from Iran is that "there will no nuclear weapons," without offering details. "The one guarantee that I have to have is that there will be no nuclear weapons. They've agreed to that, and it was very interesting," Trump told Fox News' Lara Trump. She is the president's daughter-in-law. Trump reportedly held off on signing a preliminary agreement with Iran that would have started a new round of talks on Iran's nuclear program among other things (see below). Trump has repeatedly said the primary objective for the US war against Iran is to ensure that the country will never have a nuclear weapon. But Tehran has refused to hand over weapons-grade nuclear material over the course of the war that has now lasted three months. Trump asks for edits to potential agreement with Iran President Donald Trump asked for edits to an agreement with Iran before he signs off on it, multiple news media outlets reported on Sunday. Axios reported that Trump asked to strengthen several points that are important to him, particularly around Iran's nuclear material. The New York Times also reported that Trump's changes involved toughening the terms of the deal. The president has sent the new framework back to be considered by Iran, the newspaper quoted officials familiar with the proceedings as saying. The Associated Press reported earlier this week that the agreement reached between US and Iranian negotiators would have required Iran to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Trump has reportedly been seeking advise to make sure that the tentative agreement between US and Iranian negotiators was strong enough. A CNN report earlier this week said the president has been fixated on ensuring the deal can be marketed as stronger than the 2015 Obama-era nuclear deal from which he withdrew during his first term. What to know if you're joining us on Sunday We're looking at developments related to a possible framework for an end to the Iran war and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Multiple news outlets reported earlier this week that US and Iranian negotiators had reached a tentative agreement to extend the ceasefire by 60 days and launch negotiations on Iran's nuclear program. But the final text of the emerging document known as the memorandum of understanding is yet to be decided. President Donald Trump met with top aides for two hours on Friday and the meeting concluded without clarity on the next steps. The New York Times and Axios have reported that the US president asked for several amendments to the document and has sent it back to Tehran for its consideration. Before the meeting, Trump had said on Truth Social that Iran must agree to never have a nuclear weapon or bomb, that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened for unrestricted shipping traffic "in both directions" and that any mines in the strait be "terminated." Lebanese PM slams Israel's airstrikes, defends direct talks Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has warned that Israel will not be able to ensure its security through a "scorched-earth policy." His remarks on Saturday came after renewed Israeli airstrikes against what it says are Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Israel has intensified its bombing campaign this week, killing dozens of people. Despite the strikes, the prime minister defended the decision to directly negotiate with Israel. Senior military commanders from both nations met in Washington DC on Friday, with more talks scheduled for next week. Israeli and Lebanese officials also met in the US capital in April, when they signed a ceasefire which was extended in mid-May. Salam said the talks were "the least costly path" for Lebanon. His comments come after two Lebanese soldiers were seriously injured in what the Lebanese military described as an Israeli drone strike. Separately, Lebanese television station LBC reported at least three deaths, though those casualties have not been officially confirmed. Two Lebanese soldiers seriously wounded in Israel strike, Lebanon says Two Lebanese soldiers sustained serious injuries in an Israeli airstrike on Saturday, a day after military officers met for talks in Washington. The soldiers were "targeted inside a vehicle by a hostile Israeli drone" near the southern city of Nabatieh, the Lebanese military said. According to a report by Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA), Israel also hit several targets in the south of the country, including near the historic Beaufort castle. Earlier on Saturday, Israel had ordered new evacuations in southern Lebanon. A wave of Israeli airstrikes in recent days has killed hundreds of people in Lebanon and displaced thousands. Despite a truce being in place since April, the cross-border fire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia has continued, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire. Hezbollah is based in Lebanon, but not subordinate to the Lebanese government. The militia opposes the talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials, which are due to continue next week. WATCH: Iran reconnects to the internet After one of the longest internet blackouts in modern history, Iranians are coming back online — but only partially. DW has heard from people inside Iran and asks why Tehran is easing access now. IN DEPTH: Oman stuck between Trump and Tehran US President Donald Trump said if Oman attempts to control the Strait of Hormuz in conjunction with Iran, the US would launch a military strike against it. The country at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula is one of the most important mediators between Washington and Tehran. So why did Donald Trump threaten the sultanate? Read more about the story here. Israel orders new evacuations in southern Lebanon Israel's military has issued evacuation warnings for residents of seven villages in southern Lebanon ahead of planned strikes on Hezbollah targets. Military spokesman Avichay Adraee claimed the army was "compelled to take decisive action" following alleged ceasefire violations, naming villages including areas near Nabatieh. The warnings signal a further escalation in cross-border tensions despite a truce intended to halt the fighting. Hegseth: US 'more than capable' of resuming war with Iran Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States had enough weapons to restart the war against Iran if needed. "Our ability to recommence if necessary ... we are more than capable, our stockpiles are more than suited for that, both there and around the globe, because of how we balance exquisite and more plentiful munitions," he said on Saturday while addressing a defense conference in Singapore. Hegseth said the United States had a global obligation to ensure that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons. Regarding the ongoing discussions of a potential ceasefire, Hegseth said that any deal with Iran would be a good deal. US praises 'productive' talks between military officials from Israel, Lebanon Military officials from Israel and Lebanon held "productive" talks in Washington on Friday, Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon's second-in-command, wrote on X. "Today at the Pentagon, I hosted military delegations from Israel and Lebanon for the security track supporting the ongoing peace talks between their two countries," Colby wrote. He added that the meeting would complement upcoming diplomatic discussions. "We held productive military-to-military discussions which will inform the Department of State-led political track next week," he wrote. Talks between senior Israeli and Lebanese officials have been ongoing since April. However, the talks are complicated by the fact that Iran-backed Shiite militant group Hezbollah, Israel's target, is not participating and has refused to accept their results. Welcome to our coverage Welcome to DW's ongoing coverage of the conflict in the Middle East. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States had sufficient weapons stockpiles to restart military operations against Iran if necessary. Meanwhile, military officials from Israel and Lebanon held what US officials described as productive talks in Washington. Stay tuned for more news and analysis.