Israeli troops have captured a strategic mountain topped with a Crusader-built castle in southern Lebanon in their deepest incursion into the country in more than a quarter century

The Israeli military has captured a strategic, Crusader-era castle in southern Lebanon, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders troops to deepen Israel’s incursion into its neighbor’s territory.

Fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group has recently intensified as the U.S. and Iran negotiate a deal.

STORY: Israeli flags were seen flying in southern Lebanon's strategically located Beaufort Castle on Sunday. Israel's military confirmed the capture of the 900-year-old vantage point over much of

The capture of Beaufort castle came after days of intense fighting and airstrikes in nearby villages where Israeli troops fought Hezbollah.

Israeli army says it has captured strategic castle in south Lebanon in deepest incursion into the country in 26 years.

Israeli forces have seized a historic, strategic and symbolically important castle and are now deeper inside Lebanon than they have been in 26 years, despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. That complicates efforts on a deal to end the Iran war.

As Israel expands its incursion deeper into Lebanese territory, it now controls the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle that it once occupied for 18 years. Following intense bombardment and fighting, troops can be seen on the castle’s ruins,