Israeli forces launched limited ground operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah on March 16, 2026, advancing past the Litani River and surrounding key towns like Bint Jbeil amid ongoing airstrikes that have reached Beirut suburbs and caused over 2,000 deaths since March 2. No ground incursion into central Beirut has occurred despite strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure there, including a major April 8 wave hitting 100 targets across the capital, Bekaa Valley, and south. Escalation persists post-rare direct negotiations, with Israel rejecting ceasefire demands ahead of scheduled Lebanon-Israel talks this week, as Hezbollah signals resistance and Lebanese troops secure Beirut against militant re-entry. Traders weigh Netanyahu's security doctrine signaling potential Beirut action against diplomatic de-escalation efforts.