All articles tagged with #hezbollah
Lebanon hopes for a ceasefire and direct talks with Israel on Hezbollah disarmament, but Hezbollah supporters in Beirut oppose negotiations and Lebanon has yet to appoint a negotiator; Netanyahu has signaled talks will proceed even as a US-Iran ceasefire attempt adds complexity to regional dynamics and the two countries’ diplomacy.
The Iran-backed Hezbollah has defied expectations of weakness by sustaining rocket attacks on Israel for over a month, signaling it has adapted to the conflict with smaller, more agile units and surprise assaults despite a 2024 cease-fire and Israeli efforts to dismantle the group.
Israel launched a sudden barrage across Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, delivering more than 100 strikes in under 10 minutes and leaving over 300 dead and about 1,000 wounded. Civilians and responders describe chaos, destruction, and fear of further attacks, with displacement rising as residents recall a day when many believed Beirut would collapse.
Israel’s IDF released statistics alleging Hezbollah fired about 3,000 mortars and missiles from near the Litani River since the operation began, refuting Lebanon’s Jan. 8, 2026 claim that Hezbollah had been disarmed in southern Lebanon; the IDF calls the Lebanese claim a lie and says Hezbollah has reinforced its forces and can move south via bridges and crossings, undermining the LAF’s disarmament effort.
Lebanon and the U.S. have asked Israel for a temporary pause in air strikes against Hezbollah ahead of direct negotiations with Beirut next week, aiming to de-escalate as talks in Washington under U.S. mediation begin. Beirut says any ceasefire must come from Israel-Lebanon talks, not Iran, while Israel’s stance remains unsettled and Netanyahu weighs the request. The push comes amid trilateral discussions and planned high-level visits, with both sides signaling that a forthcoming accord will be delicate and political.
Lebanon says it will enter direct talks with Israel next week only if a ceasefire is in place, while Israel says talks should proceed after Lebanese requests; the US plans a meeting to discuss the ceasefire and negotiations. The fighting continues with hundreds dead and over a million displaced, as Hezbollah rockets target Israel and Israeli strikes hit Lebanon, with disputes over whether Lebanon is covered by the US-Iran ceasefire complicating diplomacy and humanitarian agencies warning of a worsening crisis.
Lebanon has emerged as a flashpoint in the bid to end Iran-linked hostilities, as Iran’s officials accuse the US and Israel of violations and demand that Lebanon be included in a two-week ceasefire deal, while Washington and Jerusalem say Lebanon was never part of the agreement. The dispute threatens the fragile truce as Israel widens strikes on Hezbollah and Iran signals possible costs for breaches, with regional actors like Pakistan weighing in and concerns mounting over civilian casualties and displacement amid broader tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel and Lebanon are set to hold talks in Washington next week to negotiate the fragile ceasefire as heavy Israeli strikes in Lebanon escalate and concerns grow that the US-Iran truce could collapse. Netanyahu has urged direct talks with Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, while Beirut says a truce is required before negotiations; neither side has publicly confirmed the talks. The broader mediation effort also faces strains, including discussions in Islamabad over the Strait of Hormuz.
Missiles fired from Lebanon toward central Israel triggered sirens in Tel Aviv and nearby areas; at least two launches occurred, with one missile intercepted and another landing in an open area, and no injuries were reported. The attack followed a day of escalation and rocket fire on northern Israel. The IDF said it is prepared to respond and warned that additional areas may come under fire. Prime Minister Netanyahu urged disarmament talks with Lebanon, while the US clarified that Lebanon is not part of the Iran-focused ceasefire.
Israel’s heavy strikes across Lebanon, including Beirut, threaten a fragile Iran–US ceasefire, with Tehran insisting Lebanon is part of the deal while Israel says it isn’t; hundreds have been killed and thousands displaced as experts warn the Lebanon front could widen the conflict to involve Iran and possibly Yemen’s Houthis, unless Washington and its allies press for de-escalation. The dispute over whether Lebanon is covered by the truce, plus warnings of potential war crimes and political brinksmanship, could require high-level diplomacy—potentially involving former U.S. leadership—to keep the ceasefire alive.
A fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire is fraying ahead of talks in Pakistan, with Tehran accusing Israel of violating the truce through attacks on Lebanon and Israel targeting Hezbollah; the dispute centers on the Strait of Hormuz where oil flows remain disrupted, and Lebanon’s inclusion in any accord remains contentious, complicating the path to a broader ceasefire.
ISW-CTP’s Iran Update notes no new exchanges of fire among the United States, Israel, and Iran since April 8, while Gulf states report drone attacks; Iran has softened several ceasefire demands and signals tighter control of the Strait of Hormuz to pressure the U.S. in talks, with Lebanon included in its framework. Israel continues its campaign against Hezbollah and plans direct negotiations with Lebanon under US mediation next week. The US-led campaign claims extensive degradation of Iran’s defense, space, and naval capabilities, with strikes on sites including Shahid Boroujerdi; Iranian-backed groups warn of renewed attacks if Israel presses operations in Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will pursue direct talks with Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, even as it continues its strikes against Hezbollah across Lebanon amid international calls for a ceasefire.
The IDF’s 98th Division announced it is gaining operational control of the southern Lebanon town of Bint Jbail, where Hezbollah and Radwan Force operatives are believed present. In the broader border hostilities, Hezbollah fired roughly 50 rockets at Israel (about 40 crossed into Israeli territory and were intercepted), as Israel reinforces its defense posture along the Lebanon border with multiple divisions active.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will begin direct peace talks with Lebanon as soon as possible to disarm Hezbollah and establish peaceful relations, in response to international pressure from Europe to halt attacks. The Lebanon war toll rose to about 1,888 dead with 303 killed in the latest update. Netanyahu stressed there is no Lebanon ceasefire and Israel will continue its strikes until Lebanon’s security is restored, while talks reportedly could be led by Israel’s U.S. ambassador; Pakistan is mediating and some European capitals welcomed the prospect of talks.