New Delhi: Talks were going on to stop the war between Israel and Iran. America was acting as an intermediary. But Israel entered Lebanon and captured an old fort. Just this one step derailed the entire conversation. Iran clearly said that there will be no talk now. And the threat ahead is so big that the entire world can hold its breath. On the other hand, US President Donald Trump is continuously claiming that Iran is desperate for peace talks. But the matter is stuck on just a few issues.
There is a powerful group on the border of Israel and Lebanon named Hezbollah. This group runs on Iran’s money and weapons. When the war between Israel and Gaza started in 2023, Hezbollah also started attacking Israel. Life of people living in northern Israel became difficult. In response, Israel greatly weakened Hezbollah. At the end of 2024, an agreement was reached with the help of America and the fighting stopped for some time. But this peace did not last long.
Fighting started again in March 2025
On March 2, Hezbollah again attacked Israel. In response, Israel entered Lebanon and started a ground operation. Israel says Hezbollah was again stockpiling weapons and carrying out attacks with a new type of drone that operates through fiber optic cables. This drone is also being used extensively in the war in Ukraine.
What is Beaufort Fort and why is it important?
This Sunday, the Israeli army captured a very old and high fort inside Lebanon. Its name is Beaufort or Al-Shaqif. This fort is built at a height of about 700 meters and from here both Lebanon and Northern Israel are clearly visible. This fort is about 1000 years old. It was built in the 12th century. Salahuddin’s army, Mamluks, Ottomans, France, Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel have all captured it. Israel won it in 1982 and abandoned it in 2000. Now Israel has returned here after 25 years.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that this fort is a symbol of the bravery of the Israeli army. But some Israeli experts are saying that there will be no major benefit from this. Orna Mizrahi, a former government official, said that the question in people’s minds is what will be achieved by all this. He says that the problem of Hezbollah will not be solved by military force alone; a political solution will also have to be found for this.
There is devastation in Lebanon
Israeli forces have occupied large areas in the south of Lebanon. Houses and historical places are being demolished there. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that Israel is pursuing a policy of completely destroying cities and towns. He also said that Israel is trying to erase the memories of Lebanon and destroy the identity of the people.
Israel has warned the people of southern areas of Lebanon to leave. Since March 3, more than 3,300 people have been killed in Lebanon, including dozens of children. About 10 lakh people have left their homes. Hundreds of people have also been killed in the capital Beirut. There was a lot of damage there in the heavy bombardment that took place within a few minutes in April. 25 soldiers and one contractor have been killed from the Israeli side. Two civilians have also lost their lives in northern Israel.
Attempt to negotiate and Hezbollah’s refusal
Direct talks between Israel and Lebanon began in Washington in April. This happened for the first time in more than 30 years because there is no diplomatic relationship between these two countries. Last Friday, direct military talks took place between the two countries, which was the first time in decades.
The issues in these talks are when Israel will withdraw from Lebanon, when the Lebanese army will be deployed there and when and how Hezbollah’s weapons will be destroyed. But Hezbollah is not involved in these talks and has clearly said that as long as Israel is in Lebanon, it will not give up its weapons. Hezbollah wants Iran’s power to be used in negotiations and considers the Lebanese government weak.
Lebanon’s own people are also divided on this. Many people are angry with Hezbollah because it has plunged the country into destruction. But at the same time there is no trust in Israel either. The Lebanese Prime Minister himself said that this negotiation is the least damaging path right now but there is no guarantee that it will yield any results.
Iran’s anger and big threat
Israel is not fighting only in Lebanon. It is also having a direct war with Iran. America was brokering talks to stop this war. This conversation was taking place through middlemen. But now Iran has announced that it is stopping exchanging this message with America. Iran has clearly stated that there will be no talks until Israel stops attacks in Lebanon and Gaza.
Iran and its allied groups have said that they are preparing to completely close the Gulf of Hormuz. Along with this, it has also been said to close the Bab al-Mandeb strait. These are two such routes from where a large part of the world imports oil and goods. Closing them would mean skyrocketing oil prices across the world and halting maritime trade.
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