Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a ground incursion into southern Lebanon in mid-March 2026, advancing to establish a defense line south of the Litani River amid the ongoing war with Hezbollah, while conducting repeated airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs—Hezbollah's stronghold—but have not deployed ground troops into the capital itself. A fragile 10-day ceasefire took effect around April 17, following rare direct Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington, DC, allowing limited civilian returns to border areas despite reported violations like Hezbollah rocket fire and Israeli strikes. Lebanese army deployments secure Beirut against Hezbollah re-entry as part of demilitarization pledges, lowering near-term odds of IDF entry, though ceasefire breakdown or escalation signals could shift dynamics ahead of potential UN or US-mediated extensions.