Benjamin Netanyahu orders troops to move further into Lebanon against Hezbollah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders troops to move further into Lebanon in the battle against Hezbollah.

In the latest advance, Israeli troops seized the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle and a strategic ridge in southern Lebanon, after one of the heaviest days of Hezbollah fire towards northern Israel since the April ceasefire, prompting school closures and restrictions.

The advance into Beaufort Castle has granted Israeli troops a vantage point over much of southern Lebanon and northern Israel, from which attacks have been launched towards Israeli residential areas.

It was the first time Israel had held the site since May 2000, when Israel withdrew its troops from southern Lebanon after 18 years.

The Israeli military already controlled territory up to the Litani River in Lebanon, but troops are pushing to the Zaharani River, around 10 km north.

This comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had instructed his country's military to expand its ground manoeuvre in Lebanon.

Netanyahu said his aim is to deepen and expand Israel's grip on the places that were under Hezbollah's control.

Defence Minister Israel Katz said soldiers will retain Beaufort as part of Israel's security zone in southern Lebanon.

He said the campaign is not over yet Israel, determined to crush Hezbollah's power.

Throughout Sunday, the Israeli military conducted more than 40 strikes across southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese state news.

Israeli troops and Hezbollah have continued to trade fire since the mid-April easefire.

The fighting in Lebanon has been the broadest spillover of the Iran war.

The incursion has so far killed more than 3,370 people, according to the Lebanese government.

Israel says 24 of its soldiers and four civilians have been killed.

Citing the escalating violence in Lebanon, France called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.