Israeli forces have conducted ground operations and maintained positions in southern Lebanon since the March 2026 escalation of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, while U.S.-brokered talks in Rome continue over pilot withdrawal zones and Lebanese army deployment. Recent incidents include Hezbollah drone attacks wounding IDF personnel on August 15 and August 5, followed by Israeli retaliatory airstrikes in the south that killed at least 11, underscoring persistent ceasefire violations despite the June framework agreement. Strikes have largely remained confined to southern areas and Hezbollah infrastructure, with Beirut's southern suburbs last heavily targeted in April operations. Negotiations emphasize gradual Israeli pullback conditional on Hezbollah disarmament, creating structural barriers to northward advances toward the capital absent major escalation or breakdown in diplomacy.