Israel Strikes Southern Lebanon But Partial Truce With Hezbollah Appears To Hold

Israeli forces carried out a series of strikes across southern Lebanon this week, but a fragile U.S.-mediated arrangement aimed at preventing a wider escalation between Israel and Hezbollah appeared largely intact despite continued violence along the border.

The latest attacks came after U.S. diplomatic efforts helped avert a major Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold. Lebanese officials said Israel had agreed to refrain from attacking Beirut, while Hezbollah pledged through intermediaries to halt attacks on Israeli territory as part of a limited de-escalation understanding.

Despite that arrangement, Israeli aircraft and drones continued operations in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media reported multiple strikes in areas near Tyre, Nabatiyeh and other southern towns, with casualties including civilians, medics and security personnel. Israel said the operations targeted Hezbollah positions, fighters and military infrastructure.

The partial truce was tested further on Wednesday when the Israeli military reported intercepting rockets launched from Lebanon into northern Israel. Hezbollah later said it had fired rockets at an Israeli troop position, marking its first publicly announced cross-border rocket attack since agreeing to the de-escalation arrangement earlier in the week.

Israeli officials accused Hezbollah of violating the understanding. Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Michael Leiter, said Israel had agreed not to strike Beirut on the condition that Hezbollah cease attacks on Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli authorities were assessing the circumstances surrounding the rocket fire and warned that Israel would respond if attacks continued.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli military also announced it had intercepted what it described as a “hostile aircraft” that crossed into northern Israel from Lebanon. While officials did not directly attribute the drone to Hezbollah, the incident added to concerns that the situation could quickly deteriorate.

The conflict has remained active despite a broader ceasefire framework brokered by the United States in April. That arrangement temporarily reduced large-scale hostilities but failed to end fighting completely. Israeli forces have maintained operations in parts of southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah has continued attacks against Israeli military positions along the border.

According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, more than 3,500 people have been killed in Lebanon since the latest phase of the conflict began in March. Israeli authorities say Hezbollah attacks have killed dozens of Israeli soldiers and civilians during the same period.

Diplomatic efforts are continuing alongside the fighting. Lebanese and Israeli representatives met in Washington this week for U.S.-facilitated talks focused on border security, ceasefire arrangements and the future role of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope that the discussions would produce a framework for greater stability and security along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Regional tensions remain high as Iran has linked progress in its broader negotiations with Washington to an end to Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Tehran has warned that continued escalation could jeopardize ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing conflict across the Middle East.

For now, the limited understanding that halted direct Israeli strikes on Beirut appears to be holding, but continued clashes in southern Lebanon underscore the fragility of the arrangement. With both sides maintaining military pressure and accusing each other of violations, diplomats warn that the risk of a broader Israel-Hezbollah war remains significant.