Israel has expanded its illegal occupation in southern Lebanon, seizing the strategic Beaufort Castle and shattering the US-brokered ceasefire reached on April 17.

Israeli forces have, through intensified attacks around Tyre and Nabatieh, pushed their military operations northward toward the Zahrani River — well past the Litani River line, which Tel Aviv initially claimed was its target to clear out Hezbollah. 

The Israeli-occupied area now spans roughly 2,000km², accounting for nearly one-fifth of Lebanon.