Date: May 15, 2026 l Reporter: Jan Porch
Israel carried out fresh airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Friday, targeting what it described as Hezbollah infrastructure sites, even as Israeli and Lebanese envoys continued a second day of ceasefire negotiations in Washington, D.C.
According to the Israeli military, the strikes focused on locations around the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, where Hezbollah fighters are believed to maintain operational positions. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said evacuation warnings had earlier been issued to residents in several nearby towns before the attacks began.
Witnesses and Lebanese state media reported multiple explosions near Tyre, while additional drone strikes reportedly hit areas outside the evacuation zones. Lebanese authorities said one strike targeted a facility operated by a local non-governmental organization near a hospital, injuring at least seven people, including two nurses.
The renewed violence comes despite an active truce between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group that took effect on April 17. Although the ceasefire reduced large-scale fighting, both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violations in recent weeks. Lebanese officials claim hundreds of people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the truce began.
The United States described the first day of negotiations in Washington as “positive,” with diplomats from both countries meeting in an attempt to extend the ceasefire agreement before its scheduled expiration on Sunday. However, neither Israel nor Lebanon publicly commented on the ongoing military operations while talks were underway.
Israeli authorities also confirmed that one Israeli soldier and a civilian contractor were killed during clashes in southern Lebanon, bringing the number of Israeli military personnel killed in confrontations with Hezbollah since March to 19.
The negotiations are reportedly being led by Lebanese diplomat Simon Karam and Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter, both considered influential political figures with firm positions on regional security issues.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensified earlier this year after Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during escalating regional tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Analysts warn that continued military exchanges during the peace negotiations could undermine efforts to stabilize the region and prevent another wider Middle East conflict. The ceasefire talks are considered critical as tensions remain high across Lebanon, Israel, the Gulf region, and the Strait of Hormuz.