Israel seizes castle in Lebanon as it expands ground offensive

"We have broken the barrier of fear. We are taking the initiative, we are operating on all fronts - in Syria, in Gaza, in Lebanon," he said.Defence Minister Israel-katz" class="entity-link entity-person" data-entity-id="4249" data-entity-type="person">Israel Katz recalled a battle the Israeli Army fought for the fort 44 years ago. He said the Golani Brigade, which took it then, had returned and raised the Israeli flag above it. So, it's a highly symbolic as well as strategic victory, as far as Israel is concerned. For the Lebanese, it's the latest historic landmark to be seized in recent days, while the city of Nabatieh further north appears to be increasingly a target for the IDF. Katz said control of the castle and the ridge it stands upon was an important step in protecting Israeli communities on the other side of the border. Israel says it's been intensifying its onslaught against Hezbollah in response to the Iranian-backed group's ramping up of its own explosive drone and missile attacks both on Israeli troops inside Lebanon and communities across the border. The military confirmed another soldier had been killed, while schools in communities on the Israeli side of the border have been closed on Sunday as a precaution. On Saturday, Hezbollah fired some 25 projectiles towards that area, prompting calls from opposition Israeli politicians for the government to do more to ensure the safety of residents.