Hezbollah’s Islamic Resistance in Lebanon said on Monday that Israeli forces failed to establish control over Beaufort Castle (Qal’at al-Shaqif), dismissing Israeli claims of capturing the strategic site as a “media stunt” aimed at boosting morale among settlers in northern occupied territories.
In a statement, the Islamic Resistance’s Operations Room said the Israeli army “sought to produce an image it could promote as a resounding victory” following the psychological impact of footage documenting Hezbollah attacks on its forces in southern Lebanon and the border between Lebanon and occupied Palestine.
#Watch | #Hezbollah fighters target a command room belonging to the Israeli enemy army in the Avivim #Israeli barracks on the southern Lebanese border, using the #Ababil attack drone on May 25, 2026 pic.twitter.com/JInA106o4h
— Al-Manar English (@manarenglish) May 30, 2026
According to the statement, Israeli troops launched days of intense airstrikes and artillery shelling on the town of Yuhmor Al-Shaqif and surrounding areas in an attempt to advance toward the castle, but were met with “fierce and heavy fire” that forced them to retreat to the eastern outskirts.”
The group said that on the evening of May 30, an Israeli infantry unit infiltrated the castle under heavy smoke cover, reaching the site through concealed routes and taking photographs later circulated by Israeli media to claim control.
Hezbollah’s Statement No. 19 | May 30, 2026
— Al-Manar English (@manarenglish) May 30, 2026
Since dawn on May 26, Hezbollah fighters have been fiercely engaging advancing Israeli forces attempting to reach the outskirts of Zawtar Al-Sharqiyeh, Yohmor Al-Shaqif, and Debbin.
According to the statement, resistance units have… pic.twitter.com/4CLpDpXiG4
“The castle was devoid of any resistance military presence,” the statement noted, affirming that the move was staged to project a battlefield achievement.
The Islamic Resistance’s Operations Room further said Israeli forces have since struggled to entrench themselves around the site, stressing that Israeli enemy troops remain positioned below the castle and have been unable to secure the area.
“The Islamic Resistance is waging a war of attrition against Israeli forces in the area, as will be shown in upcoming footage,” the statement concluded.
The Israeli enemy army claimed on Sunday its forces have occupied the castle, offering photos of soldiers near the 900-year-old fortress.