Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon have intensified in recent days, raising concerns about the stability of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran and complicating efforts to ease tensions in the broader Middle East conflict. The escalations come amid preparations for the first direct talks between the U.S. and Iran on Saturday in Islamabad, Pakistan, which has been locked down in anticipation of the high-stakes negotiations.

Since the announcement of a ceasefire on April 7 to halt hostilities linked to the broader Iran conflict, Israeli forces have continued targeting sites in southern Lebanon, a region where Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, holds significant influence. The Israeli military said it had struck strategic locations, including river crossings and areas near Beirut’s southern suburbs, reportedly killing key Hezbollah figures. Lebanese authorities reported that the recent bombings resulted in more than 300 casualties, with cumulative losses since early March rising to nearly 1,900 dead and over 6,000 wounded.

While Israel maintains that the ceasefire excludes its operations in Lebanon, Tehran and Pakistan, which mediated the U.S.-Iran truce, assert that Lebanon is part of the agreement and that ongoing Israeli assaults constitute a violation. Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed power following the death of his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the start of the conflict, issued a defiant statement affirming Iran’s resolve to respond to the war’s toll and to maintain control over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Despite the ceasefire, Iran’s blockade of the strait remains near total, severely disrupting global energy shipments; only a handful of vessels have transited the waterway compared to prewar levels averaging 140 ships daily.

In response to the escalation, U.S. officials expressed concern that continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon could undermine the ceasefire’s prospects and the planned U.S.-Iran talks. President Donald Trump acknowledged Israel’s security concerns but urged a reduction in hostilities in Lebanon to support broader peace efforts. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, emphasized that operations against Hezbollah would persist, stating, “There is no cease-fire in Lebanon.”

Simultaneously, Netanyahu announced intentions to initiate direct negotiations with the Lebanese government aimed at disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations. These talks, expected to begin shortly and possibly take place in Washington, mark a significant development given the absence of formal diplomatic ties between Israel and Lebanon. However, Hezbollah representatives have publicly rejected direct negotiations with Israel.

Lebanese officials have called for a temporary ceasefire to enable diplomatic engagement, while Pakistan indicated efforts to expand ceasefire agreements to Lebanon and Yemen, where Israel is also confronting Iran-aligned forces. Meanwhile, international actors, including Britain and France, have advocated for extending the ceasefire to cover Lebanon to stabilize the region further.

The conflict has triggered significant humanitarian distress within Lebanon, with mass evacuations ordered in southern suburbs of Beirut and the establishment of makeshift shelters for displaced populations. As the region waits for outcomes from the upcoming U.S.-Iran talks, the situation in Lebanon remains volatile, with military confrontations and political complexities challenging the durability of any ceasefire agreement.