The conflict escalated on February 15, when Israeli warplanes struck southern Lebanon, hitting areas including Jabur and Bsaliya, with the IDF confirming the strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure. On February 20, Israel launched airstrikes and artillery on several areas in southern Lebanon, including Markaba, Baysariyeh and Nabi Sheeth.

On March 2, Hezbollah launched rockets and drones at northern Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei — the first Hezbollah strike on Israel since a November 2024 ceasefire agreement. Israel responded with airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut and southern Lebanon, striking more than 70 targets and killing at least 31 people in the southern Beirut suburb of Burj al-Barajna. By March 5, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported 77 dead and 527 wounded from the previous 48 hours of strikes. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem vowed on March 4 to confront Israel "to the fullest extent."

By March 8, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 40 people in southern Lebanon. Two strikes on March 12 killed 11 people, with an Israeli airstrike on Beirut killing at least eight, according to BBC News. Qassem said on March 13 he was prepared for a prolonged "existential" battle. On March 18, an Israeli airstrike hit Beirut's Bachoura neighborhood, part of broader strikes that killed at least 27 people. Another round of strikes on March 24 killed at least 17 people across Lebanon, with Israel confirming it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure. On March 25, Qassem said Hezbollah was in a "defensive battle" for Lebanon. By March 29, the death toll since March 2 had risen to 1,094, with Israeli airstrikes that day killing at least 20 people.

On April 5, an Israeli airstrike killed four people in Beirut's southern suburb of Jnah and wounded about 39, with five strikes hitting southern Beirut and additional strikes killing at least 14 in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. On April 8, Israel launched a massive offensive with 100 strikes in 10 minutes against Hezbollah sites, hitting Beirut, the Bekaa and the south, causing 250 deaths and 1,200 wounded. The following day, Hezbollah launched a missile at Tel Aviv, which was intercepted. Also on April 9, Netanyahu announced direct negotiations with Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah and establish peaceful relations, with talks set to begin the next week in Washington DC with US mediation and no ceasefire agreement in place. Qassem said on April 10 that Israel had failed to achieve its war objectives. On April 11, 17 people were killed in Israeli strikes.

On April 13, Qassem rejected direct talks with Israel. On April 16, Netanyahu stated that Israel would maintain a 10km security zone in southern Lebanon after any ceasefire and rejected Hezbollah's demand for full withdrawal. A ceasefire agreement was reached in Washington on April 18, which Qassem called an insult. He stated on April 19 that battlefield realities decide the conflict and called for a mutual cessation, while thanking Iran for support. On April 20, Hezbollah claimed an attack against Israeli forces between Taybé and Deir Seriane, destroying several Merkava tanks, while Qassem said the group would keep its weapons. The following day, Israeli forces continued demolitions in villages planned for a buffer zone and banned the return of residents. On April 25, Israeli airstrikes killed four people in southern Lebanon's Nabatieh district, and the ceasefire was extended by three weeks. On April 27, Qassem rejected disarmament and direct talks, while Israel struck the Beqaa Valley for the first time in three weeks. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened to "burn all of Lebanon," and the death toll since March 2 had risen to 2,521.

On May 6, Hezbollah deputy chief Mahmoud Qomati stated the group would not surrender until the last Israeli soldier leaves Lebanese territory. An Israeli airstrike on May 7 killed four to eight people in the Sidon district. On May 11, Netanyahu said he would not stop operations against Hezbollah as part of any deal with Iran, arguing that weakening the Iranian regime would lead to the collapse of its proxies. On May 12, Qassem called for indirect negotiations with Israel, vowing "hell" for the country. Israeli strikes on May 19 killed 12 people, and strikes on May 22 killed 10 including medics. On May 24, Qassem expressed hope that a potential Iran-US deal would include Lebanon. On May 28, at least 17 people were killed, including three Lebanese soldiers, with Netanyahu saying strikes would intensify. On May 30, Israeli airstrikes killed 11 people including a paramedic.

On June 2, Qomati rejected a U.S.-backed partial ceasefire. On June 4, Qassem rejected the U.S.-mediated ceasefire, calling for a comprehensive ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal, prisoner release and the return of displaced residents. Hezbollah issued 25 military statements announcing strikes on Israeli vehicles and soldiers. That evening, drone strikes and bombardments hit south Lebanon and the Bekaa despite the ceasefire announcement. The Israeli Defense Minister claimed "freedom of action" for the military, and the Lebanese army reopened the Marjayoun–Debbine–Ibl el-Saqi axis after removing Israeli barriers. On June 5, the United States announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a ceasefire under its auspices. RT reported that Hezbollah published a warning video titled "They will not be safe," with Qassem stating that as long as Lebanese villages are not safe, Israeli settlements will not be safe, and describing the negotiations as "humiliating and disgraceful." Netanyahu rejected convening a cabinet vote on the ceasefire until Hezbollah accepts Israeli conditions, stating that without cabinet approval Israel is not obligated to observe the truce, according to Interfax. Qassem responded that resistance would continue as long as Israel remains in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israel issued forced evacuation orders for nine villages in southern Lebanon and then launched airstrikes killing six people, with thousands fleeing including 2,500 from Anqoun, according to The Guardian. Hezbollah retaliated with rocket barrages on Israeli troops near Beaufort Castle. Al Jazeera reported that Israeli attacks killed at least five people including a doctor. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam criticized Iran for using Lebanon as a bargaining chip.