Summary
- More than four decades after one of the most significant battles of the Lebanon conflict, two former Palestinian fighters are remembering the desperate struggle to defend Beaufort Castle, a historic fortress that once stood at the center of resistance against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.
- However, an attempt to reach the castle ended when his vehicle came under Israeli fire, leaving him wounded by shrapnel before he could make contact with the fighters inside.
- The castle remained under Israeli control for years after the conflict and served as a military base until Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2000.
More than four decades after one of the most significant battles of the Lebanon conflict, two former Palestinian fighters are remembering the desperate struggle to defend Beaufort Castle, a historic fortress that once stood at the center of resistance against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.
Their memories resurfaced after Israeli troops recently regained control of the castle, raising their flag over the strategic hilltop site. For veterans of the 1982 battle, the sight brought back memories of intense fighting, heavy bombardment, and the loss of comrades who made their final stand within the fortress walls.
Moin Al-Taher, a former commander of Palestinian and Lebanese forces in southern Lebanon, vividly recalls the day the battle began. According to him, Israeli artillery and warplanes launched relentless attacks on the castle from the morning of June 6, 1982. He remembered seeing flames rising from the fortress as the bombardment intensified throughout the day.
At the time, Taher was in Beirut with his family following the birth of his daughter. After hearing about the assault, he rushed toward the area to support the defenders. However, an attempt to reach the castle ended when his vehicle came under Israeli fire, leaving him wounded by shrapnel before he could make contact with the fighters inside.
The castle was defended by around 30 members of the Jarmaq Battalion, a unit affiliated with the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s Fatah movement. The fighters came from different backgrounds, including Palestinians, Lebanese, and Yemenis. Despite being heavily outnumbered and under constant attack, they continued resisting for several days.
Taher explained that years of conflict had already left the fortress badly damaged. Israeli airstrikes in previous years had destroyed much of the structure, forcing the fighters to adapt. To strengthen their defenses, they dug trenches, constructed bunkers, and built a tunnel inside the castle complex that stretched roughly 150 metres.
Mohammed Al-Qarout, another former PLO fighter who later worked within the Palestinian Authority, has spent years documenting the history of the battle. Now living in Jericho, he preserves photographs and records from that period as part of efforts to keep the story alive.
Looking through old images, Qarout pointed to photographs showing fighters standing proudly atop the castle before the final battle. One picture included a ladder he personally installed after part of the entrance had been destroyed. According to him, the defenders managed to hold out for more than 60 hours before all of them were killed.
Both men emphasized that Beaufort Castle has long held strategic importance. Originally built during the Crusader era, the fortress has been controlled by several powers throughout history, including the armies of Saladin and the Ottoman Empire. Its elevated position provides a commanding view of northern Israel and the occupied Golan Heights, making it a valuable military location.
Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon aimed to drive the PLO leadership out of the country. The campaign eventually led to the evacuation of Yasser Arafat and other senior Palestinian figures after Israeli forces surrounded Beirut.
The castle remained under Israeli control for years after the conflict and served as a military base until Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2000. Its recent recapture by Israeli troops has once again placed it at the center of regional attention.
Reflecting on current events, Taher compared the Palestinian resistance of the 1980s with Hezbollah’s present-day conflict with Israel. While he noted important differences between the two movements, he said Hezbollah benefits from local support and operates within its own territory. At the same time, he warned that internal divisions within Lebanon could create additional challenges for the group as tensions continue to rise.
For the veterans of Beaufort Castle, the fortress remains more than a military position. It stands as a symbol of sacrifice, resistance, and a chapter of history that continues to influence the region today.
