Israeli ground operations have remained focused on southern Lebanon since the March 2026 escalation, with IDF forces securing border positions and conducting clearance activities against Hezbollah infrastructure rather than advancing northward toward Beirut. A U.S.-brokered framework agreement signed in late June established pilot zones for phased Israeli withdrawals in exchange for Lebanese Armed Forces deployment and Hezbollah disarmament commitments, though implementation has proceeded slowly amid ongoing low-level clashes, including recent Hezbollah attacks wounding Israeli soldiers and subsequent IDF strikes. Negotiations continue in Rome and elsewhere, with U.S. officials emphasizing the inconsistency of any permanent Israeli presence in the south. These diplomatic and military dynamics have kept attention on border security arrangements and de-escalation timelines, limiting near-term expectations of a major push into the Lebanese capital. Scheduled talks and potential violations of existing understandings remain key variables that could influence future positioning.