The Israeli military has renewed its directive for residents to evacuate parts of southern Lebanon as hostilities with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group continue. This development comes more than five weeks into the conflict, which escalated after Hezbollah launched attacks in support of Tehran.

On Tuesday, representatives from Israel and Lebanon met in Washington for high-level discussions facilitated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The talks, described as constructive by both sides, notably excluded Lebanese demands for an immediate ceasefire. Instead, Israel reaffirmed its objective of disarming Hezbollah to secure lasting peace in the region. In response, Hezbollah condemned the dialogue as a “national sin,” arguing it exacerbates internal Lebanese divisions amid already heightened tensions.

Since the outbreak of violence on March 2, Israeli military operations in Lebanon have resulted in significant casualties and displacement. Lebanese authorities report that Israeli strikes have killed over 2,000 people and displaced approximately 1.2 million residents. Among the casualties attributed to an April 8 offensive in Beirut are at least 303 dead, including 30 children and 71 women, according to Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry.

Israeli officials maintain that their attacks have targeted Hezbollah militants, claiming over 250 fighters killed in the recent strikes. The Israeli government has refrained from airstrikes in the Beirut area since April 8, signaling a potential shift in military strategy.

Amid these developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet is scheduled to discuss the prospects for a ceasefire, marking a notable engagement with the idea of temporarily halting hostilities. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Israel to reduce its military operations in Lebanon, apparently aiming to preserve broader ceasefire arrangements involving Iran.

The conflict remains deeply complex, intertwined with regional rivalries and internal Lebanese political fissures. The latest diplomatic efforts underscore ongoing attempts by international actors to mediate the crisis, even as fighting and humanitarian concerns persist on the ground.