Israel continued airstrikes on southern Lebanon Friday, deepening the second war that erupted in March after Hezbollah rockets responded to a U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran. More than 300 strikes hit Hezbollah positions in the past week, while drones buzzed over Beirut and evacuation warnings rattled towns like Tyre. President Trump claimed diplomatic traction with Tehran, but the fighting shows no sign of easing.

Lebanon’s government announced a U.S.-brokered cease‑fire with Israel, yet Hezbollah rejected it, demanding Israeli concessions before halting fire. The group, not under government control, kept launching rockets into northern Israel, while Israeli forces occupied swathes of southern territory and warned residents to evacuate. Civilians such as 60‑year‑old coffee‑shop owner Ali Shmaysena described ghost‑town streets, downed wires and animal carcasses littering the rubble.

Analysts warn any U.S.–Iran deal will likely reference a Lebanon cease‑fire without forcing Israel to pull back, leaving military operations intact. Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated that Israeli troops will not leave Lebanese soil, and Center for Strategic and International Studies senior associate Paul Salem called prospective wording “meaningless.” The persistent strikes threaten regional stability and could pressure markets watching Middle‑East energy supplies.