Israel intensified its airstrikes against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon on May 25, 2026, as the United States and Iran approach a potential peace agreement. A ceasefire has been in effect since last month, but both the Israeli military and Hezbollah have continued to engage in hostilities during this period. Recently, Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend the ceasefire by another 45 days to facilitate peace talks, with officials from both sides scheduled to meet at the Pentagon on May 29.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is at war with Hezbollah, claiming that over 600 militants have been eliminated. He emphasized the need to intensify operations against Hezbollah, stating, "We will strike them." On the same day, the Israeli military reported that it had destroyed over 70 Hezbollah infrastructure sites used for launching munitions, as well as command centers and weapons storage facilities.
Meanwhile, the U.S. indicated progress in negotiations with Iran to end the conflict, with President Donald Trump noting that terms are largely negotiated, although no significant breakthroughs have been made. Trump also mentioned that Gulf states should recognize Israel as part of the deal to conclude the Iran war, a continuation of the Abraham Accords established in 2020. Iranian officials were reportedly negotiating in Qatar during the time of the airstrikes.