Israel's 2026 war with Hezbollah and its first direct talks with Lebanon

Active · last development Sep 17: “Lebanon: Macron, Aoun and King Abdullah II hold security talks in Paris”

What this arc covers

The Lebanon front of the 2026 Iran war: Israel's strikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon from February 28, its ground assault and deepest incursion in decades, the first direct Israel-Lebanon talks in over 30 years, the April ceasefire and its extensions, the June framework agreement requiring Hezbollah to disarm, the withdrawal plan and the Lebanese army's deployment, and the strikes and clashes that continued.

Earliest story we hold Feb 23, 2026 · 65 stories · 152 independent sources (counted once each) · 206 days

Part ofLebanonIsraelHezbollahIranBeirutDonald TrumpBenjamin NetanyahuInternational DOI FoundationJoseph Aoun

Part of The US-Iran war

  1. Iran's leadership losses, succession and protestsDec 29, 2025 – Sep 2, 2026
  2. Strikes and their immediate aftermathJan 9 – Sep 25, 2026
  3. Ceasefire and peace negotiationsJan 12 – Sep 28, 2026
  4. Passage through the Strait of HormuzFeb 17 – Sep 21, 2026
  5. Israel's 2026 war with Hezbollah and its first direct talks with LebanonThis arcFeb 23 – Sep 17, 2026
  6. Congress's war powers votes and the fight over the warFeb 28 – Sep 27, 2026
  7. Oil prices, gas prices and the market falloutFeb 28 – Sep 28, 2026
  8. The Houthis' missile and drone attacks on Saudi ArabiaJul 13 – Sep 26, 2026
Show remaining 4 arcs
  1. The drone attack that killed three US troops in Jordan and the US strikes in replyJan 23 – Dec 17, 2024
  2. Iran and Israel's first direct strikes on each other, in April and October 2024Apr 1 – Nov 13, 2024
  3. Trump's 2025 nuclear talks with IranFeb 7 – Nov 16, 2025
  4. The 12-day Israel-Iran war of June 2025 and the US strikes on Iran's nuclear sitesJun 12 – Jul 11, 2025

Part of Israel and Hezbollah

  1. The Israel-Hezbollah war, from the October 2023 border clashes to the 2024 ceasefireJan 2 – Nov 26, 2024
  2. The Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire of 2024 and the push to disarm HezbollahNov 27, 2024 – Jan 8, 2026
  3. Israel's 2026 war with Hezbollah and its first direct talks with LebanonThis arcFeb 23 – Sep 17, 2026

Where it standsnewest first · each bar runs left to right by leaning

Sep 17Lebanon: Macron, Aoun and King Abdullah II hold security talks in Paris13 articles · 6 independent sources
0 left, 3 center, 0 right
Sep 11– 12Residents of southern Lebanon gather to watch Israeli drones drop explosives on their village8 articles · 8 independent sources
0 left, 2 center, 0 right
Sep 10– 11Israel destroys Hezbollah tunnel network in south Lebanon, triggering 4.1-magnitude tremor15 articles · 11 independent sources
2 left, 3 center, 4 right

Key momentsthe most covered; every story is below

  1. Mar 2 – 6As Iran war rages, Israel seizes chance to finish the job against Hezbollah38 articles · 26 independent sources
    1. Mar 2Israel strikes Hezbollah in Lebanon after Iran-allied group launches missiles over the border
    2. Mar 4Only center coverage:Hezbollah − degraded, weakened but not yet disarmed − destabilizes Lebanon once again
    3. Mar 5Only center coverage:Hezbollah joined the Iran war. Israel’s response carries risks.
  2. Apr 16 – 17Israel and Lebanon reach deal on a 10-day cease-fire76 articles · 42 independent sources
  3. May 31 – Jun 1Israeli army captures strategic castle in Lebanon in deepest incursion into country in 26 years31 articles · 25 independent sources
  4. Jun 1 – 4Israel and Lebanon agree to renew ceasefire if Hezbollah cuts off attacks46 articles · 26 independent sources
    1. Jun 1Only lean-left coverage:Iran warns Israeli attacks in Lebanon and Gaza threaten US ceasefire talks
    2. Jun 2Ceasefire in name only: Israel expands military campaign in Lebanon
  5. Jul 18 – 21Lebanon’s president meets with Trump as fighting between Hezbollah, Israel continues77 articles · 39 independent sources
    1. Jul 18Lebanon’s president departs for Washington to meet Trump
    2. Jul 19Lebanon's Aoun to meet Trump at White House, hoping to generate pressure on Israel
    3. Jul 21Only center coverage:Lebanon's president will meet with Trump in Washington to push for Israeli troop withdrawal
    4. Jul 21Lebanon's president meets with Trump in Washington to push for Israeli troop withdrawal
    5. Jul 21Trump to allow direct US flights to Lebanon after 41-year halt
  6. Aug 15 – 16Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon kill 11 people in another test to truce43 articles · 22 independent sources
  7. Sep 4 – 8Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese village kill 12, plus other key Mideast developments58 articles · 24 independent sources
    1. Sep 4Only center coverage:Israeli strike kills two in southern Lebanon amid ongoing escalation
    2. Sep 6Israeli strikes kill four in southern Lebanon

Who covered it, over timeindependent sources per week, by side

Feb 23Apr 6May 18Jun 22Aug 3Sep 14

LeftCenterRight

Point at or tap a week to see its count by side.

Every week as a table
Week ofLeftCenterRightArticles
Feb 23, 20260044
Mar 2, 2026512749
Mar 9, 202613511
Mar 16, 202635318
Mar 30, 202613012
Apr 6, 202649423
Apr 13, 20269201292
Apr 20, 2026612855
Apr 27, 20262104
May 4, 20261114
May 11, 20261214
May 25, 202648238
Jun 1, 2026718868
Jun 15, 202669846
Jun 22, 202615523
Jun 29, 20260137
Jul 6, 202625018
Jul 13, 202626219
Jul 20, 2026612671
Jul 27, 202634025
Aug 3, 202616111
Aug 10, 2026311336
Aug 31, 202637126
Sep 7, 2026413759
Sep 14, 20260307

Stories before June 28, 2026 come from archived pages, so who covered them is limited to the outlets we recovered for that period.

23% left · 60% center · 17% right of 152 independent sources among the outlets we track, across 65 stories.

Every storyoldest first

  1. February 2026

    Feb 23US orders non-emergency personnel to leave Beirut embassy amid tensions8 articles · 7 independent sources
    0 left, 0 center, 4 right

  2. March 2026

    Mar 2– 6As Iran war rages, Israel seizes chance to finish the job against Hezbollah38 articles · 26 independent sources
    5 left, 7 center, 7 right
  3. Mar 6– 13Israel attacks Beirut in ‘targeted killing’ attempt, kills several in south11 articles · 6 independent sources
    1 left, 0 center, 3 right
  4. Mar 6– 12Israeli strikes across Lebanon, including central Beirut11 articles · 3 independent sources
    0 left, 1 center, 0 right
  5. Mar 6Trump rules out talks absent Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender’ as Israel strikes Lebanon11 articles · 11 independent sources
    0 left, 4 center, 0 right
  6. Mar 7Dozens killed, authorities say, as Israeli commandos raid Lebanon in hunt for missing airman9 articles · 9 independent sources
    1 left, 1 center, 0 right
  7. Mar 12– 14Lebanon says Israeli strike in south kills 12 medics8 articles · 6 independent sources
    0 left, 3 center, 0 right
  8. Mar 14– 16Israel announces Lebanon ground assault against Hezbollah13 articles · 10 independent sources
    1 left, 2 center, 5 right
  9. Mar 16– 17United Arab Emirates briefly closes airspace as Israel strikes Lebanon and Tehran10 articles · 7 independent sources
    2 left, 3 center, 0 right
  10. Mar 16– 18Israel strikes Beirut suburbs as displacement shelters overflow8 articles · 3 independent sources
    0 left, 1 center, 0 right
  11. Mar 31Israel says four soldiers killed as army pushes deeper into south Lebanon12 articles · 7 independent sources
    0 left, 3 center, 0 right

  12. April 2026

    Apr 5– 8At least 182 killed as Israel strikes central Beirut after saying Iran truce doesn't apply there8 articles · 7 independent sources
    1 left, 4 center, 0 right
  13. Apr 8– 10Lebanon says Israel talks set for Tuesday in US23 articles · 15 independent sources
    3 left, 4 center, 4 right
  14. Apr 9Netanyahu authorizes direct talks with Lebanon in potential boost to ceasefire efforts - Boston News, Weather, Sports6 articles · 6 independent sources
    1 left, 2 center, 0 right
  15. Apr 14– 16Trump says Israel and Lebanon’s leaders will speak on Thursday8 articles · 5 independent sources
    0 left, 1 center, 2 right
  16. Apr 14– 15Lebanon and Israel hold first direct diplomatic talks in over 30 years25 articles · 19 independent sources
    5 left, 9 center, 1 right
  17. Apr 16– 17Israel and Lebanon reach deal on a 10-day cease-fire76 articles · 42 independent sources
    8 left, 13 center, 12 right
  18. Apr 18Macron: French soldier was killed in Lebanon6 articles · 5 independent sources
    0 left, 1 center, 2 right
  19. Apr 20Israeli soldier seen striking Jesus statue in Lebanon, sparking condemnation12 articles · 11 independent sources
    1 left, 3 center, 4 right
  20. Apr 21Israel jails two soldiers who damaged and photographed a Jesus statue in Lebanon7 articles · 7 independent sources
    1 left, 2 center, 2 right
  21. Apr 22– 23Lebanese PM accuses Israel of war crimes after strike kills journalist13 articles · 13 independent sources
    2 left, 2 center, 0 right
  22. Apr 23– 24Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Extended Three Weeks31 articles · 19 independent sources
    3 left, 5 center, 6 right
  23. Apr 23Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil killed in Israeli strike on a house where she took cover, paper says7 articles · 5 independent sources
    0 left, 1 center, 0 right
  24. Apr 27– May 2Israel strikes in southern Lebanon kill 10 people as a Hezbollah drone wounds 2 Israeli soldiers9 articles · 6 independent sources
    2 left, 1 center, 0 right

  25. May 2026

    May 7– 9At least 8 killed as Israel pounds Lebanon despite truce11 articles · 6 independent sources
    1 left, 1 center, 1 right
  26. May 14– 15Lebanon-Israel ceasefire extended 45 days as US opens security talks10 articles · 7 independent sources
    1 left, 2 center, 1 right
  27. May 23– 28Israeli strikes kill 31 in south Lebanon as Israel expands ground operations14 articles · 9 independent sources
    2 left, 2 center, 2 right
  28. May 29– 30Israeli troops push deeper into Lebanon as the two sides start military talks at the Pentagon8 articles · 7 independent sources
    1 left, 2 center, 0 right
  29. May 31– Jun 1Israeli army captures strategic castle in Lebanon in deepest incursion into country in 26 years31 articles · 25 independent sources
    2 left, 6 center, 1 right

  30. June 2026

    Jun 1– 4Israel and Lebanon agree to renew ceasefire if Hezbollah cuts off attacks46 articles · 26 independent sources
    4 left, 7 center, 7 right
  31. Jun 1– 2Trump says Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to dial back fighting19 articles · 16 independent sources
    0 left, 5 center, 4 right
  32. Jun 2Israel kills 8 in Lebanon, a day after Trump said Israel and Hezbollah will de-escalate5 articles · 5 independent sources
    1 left, 4 center, 0 right
  33. Jun 3– 6Israeli strike kills three Lebanese soldiers5 articles · 4 independent sources
    1 left, 0 center, 1 right
  34. Jun 5UN doubles Lebanon aid appeal as war drives surge in humanitarian needs5 articles · 4 independent sources
    0 left, 1 center, 0 right
  35. Jun 5Lebanese president accuses Iran of using his country as a bargaining chip in peace talks with the US7 articles · 7 independent sources
    0 left, 2 center, 0 right
  36. Jun 7Israel strikes Beirut’s southern suburbs days after ceasefire agreement6 articles · 6 independent sources
    2 left, 2 center, 1 right
  37. Jun 15– 19Lebanon: Is US-Iran peace deal a 'victory' for Hezbollah?10 articles · 8 independent sources
    3 left, 2 center, 0 right
  38. Jun 15– 17Iran says the deal to end the war with the U.S. requires Israel to withdraw from Lebanon19 articles · 14 independent sources
    1 left, 3 center, 2 right
  39. Jun 16– 19Israel and Hezbollah agree to halt fighting, officials say, as US-Iran talks hang in the balance21 articles · 17 independent sources
    1 left, 4 center, 4 right
  40. Jun 16Why Trump’s proposal for Syria to fight Hezbollah will send shudders across Lebanon5 articles · 5 independent sources
    1 left, 0 center, 3 right
  41. Jun 19– 20Israel continues Lebanon strikes despite fresh ceasefire9 articles · 8 independent sources
    3 left, 0 center, 2 right
  42. Jun 26– 27Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says27 articles · 16 independent sources
    0 left, 4 center, 4 right
  43. Jun 26– 27Lebanon's deal with Israel requires Hezbollah to disarm. That might be difficult6 articles · 5 independent sources
    1 left, 1 center, 1 right
  44. Jun 30– Jul 2Syrian FM says Damascus open to meeting Hezbollah, after Trump said it should fight group5 articles · 5 independent sources
    0 left, 0 center, 2 right
  45. Jun 30– Jul 1House Votes Down Rashida Tlaib's Lebanon War Powers Resolution5 articles · 5 independent sources
    0 left, 1 center, 1 right

  46. July 2026

    Jul 8– 11Palestinian aid worker who organized World Cup screenings killed in Israeli strike22 articles · 21 independent sources
    2 left, 5 center, 0 right
  47. Jul 15– 16Lebanon and Israel move toward implementing withdrawal agreement, US officials say13 articles · 11 independent sources
    0 left, 4 center, 0 right
  48. Jul 16Syrian authorities seize truck of rockets allegedly bound for Lebanon's Hezbollah7 articles · 6 independent sources
    1 left, 0 center, 1 right
  49. Jul 17– 18Israel kills 8 attending funeral6 articles · 3 independent sources
    1 left, 2 center, 1 right
  50. Jul 18– 21Lebanon’s president meets with Trump as fighting between Hezbollah, Israel continues77 articles · 39 independent sources
    5 left, 10 center, 6 right
  51. Jul 20– 22Lebanese army deploys in ‘pilot zones’ under US-backed plan15 articles · 6 independent sources
    0 left, 2 center, 1 right
  52. Jul 22– 23Lebanon's prime minister tours shattered southern village, calls for Israeli military withdrawal11 articles · 9 independent sources
    1 left, 1 center, 0 right
  53. Jul 27– 29Residents return to a southern Lebanese village after a US-brokered agreement, in photos13 articles · 7 independent sources
    2 left, 1 center, 0 right
  54. Jul 27UN human rights chief says Israel must end occupation and house demolitions in Lebanon10 articles · 9 independent sources
    1 left, 2 center, 0 right
  55. Jul 30Turkey wants to join a new Lebanon security initiative after UN mission ends5 articles · 5 independent sources
    0 left, 1 center, 0 right

  56. August 2026

    Aug 4– 6Despite flare-up in violence, US claims progress made in Israel-Lebanon talks10 articles · 6 independent sources
    0 left, 1 center, 1 right
  57. Aug 5Israeli military strikes southern Lebanon after evacuation warning to village8 articles · 8 independent sources
    0 left, 3 center, 0 right
  58. Aug 5– 72 Israeli soldiers killed in Lebanon explosion6 articles · 6 independent sources
    1 left, 3 center, 0 right
  59. Aug 15– 16Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon kill 11 people in another test to truce43 articles · 22 independent sources
    3 left, 11 center, 3 right

  60. September 2026

    Sep 3– 4Israel frees 4 more Lebanese prisoners in a deal tied to missing Jews from Lebanon’s civil war24 articles · 14 independent sources
    1 left, 6 center, 1 right
  61. Sep 4– 5Months after ceasefire, Israel and Hezbollah battle over a strategic hill in Lebanon8 articles · 6 independent sources
    2 left, 0 center, 0 right
  62. Sep 4– 8Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese village kill 12, plus other key Mideast developments58 articles · 24 independent sources
    3 left, 11 center, 3 right
  63. Sep 10– 11Israel destroys Hezbollah tunnel network in south Lebanon, triggering 4.1-magnitude tremor15 articles · 11 independent sources
    2 left, 3 center, 4 right
  64. Sep 11– 12Residents of southern Lebanon gather to watch Israeli drones drop explosives on their village8 articles · 8 independent sources
    0 left, 2 center, 0 right
  65. Sep 17Lebanon: Macron, Aoun and King Abdullah II hold security talks in Paris13 articles · 6 independent sources
    0 left, 3 center, 0 right