Qlayaa, Lebanon ¨C Israel¡¯s flag flew over the medieval fortress on Beaufort in Lebanon on Friday as it warned Lebanese civilians to evacuate a large area of the south of the country ahead of stepped up ground operations.
Shelling was audible and smoke rose from the surrounding area as the invading army¡¯s banner was seen above the castle, which Israeli forces famously used as a base during their previous two-decade long occupation.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said troops had captured the historic strongpoint, which commands sweeping views of south Lebanon, as they expanded their ground operations, which Lebanon¡¯s prime minister has condemned as a ¡°scorched earth¡± policy.
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