From The Israeli And Golani Brigade Flags Raised Over A Crusader Fortress In Southern Lebanon To Iran’s Commitment Not To Procure Nuclear Arms. May 31 Marks A Defining Day In The Middle East’s Most Active Crisis Since 2006
According to The Guardian and The Times of Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday that the IDF had captured Beaufort Castle; the ancient Crusader fortress in southern Lebanon raising the Israeli and Golani Brigade flags over the structure. “We returned stronger than ever,” Netanyahu said, adding that 8,000 Hezbollah operatives have been eliminated since October 2023, including 700 since last month alone.
The United States and Iran appear to be closing in on a deal to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said negotiations are proceeding “slowly but surely,” and confirmed Iran had agreed not to procure nuclear weapons. The current draft memorandum of understanding specifies the Strait would be opened without tolls, Iran would clear the mines it deployed there, and in exchange the US would lift its blockade on Iranian ports and waive some sanctions.
A Trump meeting to make the “final determination” on the deal ended without a decision, but both sides confirmed progress. Thirteen Israelis have been killed since a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was announced in mid-April, with the most recent a soldier killed by a Hezbollah drone on Saturday night.
To check out our previous coverage on the US-Iran conflict and the Middle East crisis, read our articles here.
