Israel captures strategic castle in deepest incursion into Lebanon in 26 years

The Beaufort fortress has been a strategic military asset for centuries (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Israeli troops have captured a strategic mountain topped with a Crusader-built castle in southern Lebanon in the deepest incursion into the country in more than a quarter-of-a-century, the military has said.

The taking of Beaufort castle, near the city of Nabatiyeh, followed days of airstrikes and intense fighting in nearby villages between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants.