Lebanon's foreign ministry condemned Hezbollah on March 16 for allegedly opening fire on UNIFIL peacekeepers in three separate incidents, while Israel positions itself for large-scale ground operations in southern Lebanon. 

The Lebanese government's public rebuke of Hezbollah indicates the deepening political rift between President Joseph Aoun's administration and the Shi'ite group. Beyond banning Hezbollah's military activities, Aoun has actively pursued direct negotiations with Israel to de-escalate tensions. Two Israeli officials told Reuters late on March 15 that Israel and Lebanon expect to hold talks in the coming days aimed at reaching a permanent ceasefire that would lead to Hezbollah's disarmament.

Sources cited by Nida Al Watan indicated that Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri will visit Baabda this week to discuss the composition of the negotiation team and the selection of a Shiite representative for Lebanon's negotiating delegation with President Aoun. According to the Lebanese newspaper, Berri's refusal to name the Shi’ite delegation member was the focus of his March 16 meeting with French Ambassador Hervé Magro. The French ambassador has sought to expedite the nomination in order to accelerate negotiations.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants condemns in the strongest terms the shooting attacks targeting the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Sunday, March 15, 2026, in three separate incidents while they were conducting routine patrols near their bases in Yater, Deir Kifa, and Qlaouieh," the ministry stated in a press release. "This serious and unacceptable attack on peacekeepers constitutes a violation of international law and Security Council resolutions."

Meanwhile, the IDF confirmed on March 16 that troops from its 91st Division have conducted expanded ground operations against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. Additional forces from four IDF divisions redeployed to the north could join later, depending on battlefield developments. The military reported destroying 85-90% of Hezbollah's pre-2023 rocket arsenal, which exceeded 150,000 rockets before the conflict.

The IDF stated it "will not allow harm to Israeli civilians" and will continue operating against Hezbollah, which "chose to join the hostilities and operate under the sponsorship of the Iranian terror regime."

While the pursuit of negotiations advances, the continuation of military activities by both Hezbollah and the IDF indicates that armed conflict could persist, particularly since Israel has accused the Lebanese government and army of not doing enough to disarm Hezbollah.