Israel Defense Forces Strike Lebanon Despite US-Brokered Ceasefire

The Israel Defense Forces conducted a series of strikes in southern Lebanon between July 5 and July 7, 2026, despite a US-sponsored framework agreement signed on June 26. The most significant escalation occurred on July 6, when an Israeli drone strike in Nabatieh al-Fawqa killed four people, including school principal Esperanza Ghandour, her mother, a female domestic worker, and a Syrian laborer. The military claimed the vehicle carried suspects who posed a threat to troops, while Lebanese officials asserted the victims were civilians. This event is the deadliest attack since the June ceasefire renewal.

Other military actions included the demolition of homes in Aitaroun, explosions in Houla, and five consecutive strikes on Beirut on a Wednesday afternoon. The Lebanese Civil Defense reported that these operations killed at least 254 people and injured 1,165 others. Since March 2, Israeli operations have killed over 4,300 people and displaced 1.2 million Lebanese. Hezbollah responded to these incursions with rocket and drone strikes.

Political tensions have escalated as President Joseph Aoun stated the ongoing Israeli occupation prevents the Lebanese army from deploying to the south. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintained that forces will remain to protect citizens, while US President Donald Trump privately criticized the continued operations for threatening broader ceasefire and nuclear negotiations with Iran.