Israel strikes southern Lebanon but partial truce with Hezbollah appears to hold

Israel continued strikes in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, but avoided targeting Beirut following a partial ceasefire agreement announced by the US. This deal reportedly stipulates that Israel will not bomb the capital in exchange for Hezbollah refraining from attacking Israel. Despite the agreement, Israeli strikes hit buildings near Jabal Amel hospital in Tyre, killing four people and injuring 127, including hospital staff. The Israeli military stated it struck "Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure" and acknowledged damage to the hospital, asserting it was not targeted. Hezbollah claimed to have attacked Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. Lebanon's civil defense agency also reported damage to its center in Kfar Sir from an Israeli strike.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered strikes on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday. This escalation follows repeated ceasefire violations and attacks attributed to Hezbollah by Netanyahu's office. The Israeli military was directed to attack "terrorist targets" in Dahiyeh, also known as the southern suburbs. These actions have complicated mediation efforts to resolve the US-Iran conflict, with Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson stating that Israeli attacks in Lebanon are delaying diplomatic progress. The strikes come after an intensification of hostilities in southern Lebanon over the weekend, including Israeli troops capturing Beaufort Castle and an order to expand ground operations.

At least five people were killed in Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon on June 2, 2026, according to Lebanese state media. These attacks occurred hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced an agreement for de-escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, which neither party has publicly confirmed. The Israeli strikes targeted a plant nursery and vehicles in several towns, killing two Syrians and three others. Trump stated he had spoken with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hezbollah representatives, claiming an agreement was reached for an end to hostilities. The Lebanese President's office indicated Hezbollah would cease firing into Israel, and Israel would stop striking Beirut's southern suburbs. These developments follow a significant escalation of violence, including Israel's deepest incursion into Lebanon in over two decades.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a halt in fighting following indirect talks. Trump stated he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and, through intermediaries, with Hezbollah. According to Lebanon's embassy in Washington, Hezbollah agreed to stop attacks on Israel in exchange for Israel ceasing strikes on Beirut and its southern suburbs. Netanyahu confirmed discussions with Trump but indicated Israel would proceed with strikes on Beirut if Hezbollah attacks continue. This development comes amid ongoing Israeli operations in southern Lebanon, which have resulted in significant casualties and displacement. While Hezbollah has expressed support for a full ceasefire, Israel has issued new displacement orders for southern Beirut suburbs and continued artillery fire in southern Lebanon.

On day 95 of the conflict, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to halt hostilities, aiming to prevent a wider war in Lebanon. This de-escalation follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's order for attacks on Beirut's southern suburbs, with Netanyahu stating operations would continue if Hezbollah persisted in attacking Israeli cities. The situation was further complicated by Iran's chief negotiator, who warned that Iran might halt negotiations with the U.S. if Israel's military campaign in Lebanon continued. Trump claimed he secured commitments from both sides after speaking with Netanyahu and Hezbollah intermediaries, framing it as a diplomatic breakthrough to avert an Israeli offensive towards Beirut and keep regional negotiations on track. However, concerns remain about the gap between U.S. optimism and Israel's rhetoric, potentially jeopardizing fragile progress.

Israeli strikes continued on southern and eastern Lebanon on Sunday, causing casualties, despite a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war. These attacks followed a deadly raid on Saturday that killed 11 people, including a child and six women. The Israeli military states it is targeting Hezbollah, while the Iran-backed group has also attacked Israeli targets. These developments occur amidst reports that the US and Iran are nearing a peace deal, with Iran reportedly making the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon a condition for its agreement. Hezbollah has expressed hope that Lebanon will be included in any broader ceasefire agreement.

Israel conducted a "targeted strike" on Beirut, the Lebanese capital, for the second time since a ceasefire began last month. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated the attack was targeted but provided no specifics, though Israeli media cited unnamed sources identifying the target as the head of an Iranian militia's missile force. This occurred after waves of Israeli strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon and amid mutual accusations of ceasefire violations between Israel and Hezbollah. The IDF also urged residents to move north of the Zahrani River as it planned to act with "extreme force." Earlier on Thursday, Israeli strikes in Tyre killed at least 11 people, and a missile hit a residential building in Saida, killing four.

Israeli forces conducted airstrikes and artillery shelling near the Crusader-built Beaufort castle in southern Lebanon on Saturday, amidst ongoing fighting in nearby villages. The Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for over a dozen villages. Lebanon's president and prime minister stated they would intensify efforts to halt Israeli actions against homes and historical sites. The National News Agency reported civilian casualties from airstrikes, including a Syrian family. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for rocket fire into northern Israel in retaliation for strikes that killed civilians. In Gaza, a Palestinian nurse was killed in an Israeli strike on a police point, with hospital authorities reporting other casualties. These events occur despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.

Analysts and rights monitors warn that Israel is exploiting a nominal Gaza ceasefire to systematically dismantle the enclave ahead of elections. Since the ceasefire was brokered seven months ago, Israeli forces have killed at least 880 Palestinians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly stalling the peace process to appease his right-wing coalition allies and voters, with elections expected in September. Human rights officials state Israel is engineering a humanitarian disaster by restricting food and medicine. A renewed demolition campaign has forced Palestinians into shrinking spaces, with Israeli forces ordering evacuations before destroying residential blocks. Analysts suggest Netanyahu's actions are driven by a political crisis and a desire for comprehensive military occupation.