JERUSALEM — The Middle East is bracing for war again. Iran fired missiles at Israel late Sunday in the first such bombardment in the two months since a ceasefire. Israel launched airstrikes early Monday targeting central and western Iran in response.
The truce in the Iran war that was reached in April has not spread to Lebanon, where Israel has been battling Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants. Israel says it is defending its northern communities that face Hezbollah drone and rocket fire.
Iran sees Israel’s ground invasion, with thousands of troops, and airstrikes in Lebanon as a ceasefire violation. It insists that any deal with the United States must end the fighting there. Israel disagrees.
Here’s a timeline of key events.
Feb. 28
The United States and Israel attack Iran. War begins.
March 2
Hezbollah enters the war by firing rockets at Israel. Israel retaliates.
April 7
A fragile ceasefire in the Iran war is announced, with talks to continue. Israel is not included in negotiations.
April 8
Israel bombards Lebanon's capital, Beirut, killing over 300 people in a 10-minute attack.
April 14
Lebanon and Israel hold their first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington.
April 17
A fragile ceasefire is announced between Israel and Lebanon, but Hezbollah plays no part. Fighting soon resumes from both sides.
May 31
Israel's ground invasion of Lebanon makes its deepest incursion in over a quarter-century as Hezbollah continues to pound northern Israel and Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon with drones and missiles.
June 1
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatens to strike Beirut if Hezbollah attacks against Israel don't stop. U.S. President Donald Trump says Israel and Hezbollah agree to calm the fighting.
June 3
Israel and Lebanon say they agree to renew the fragile ceasefire and create security zones that exclude Hezbollah.
June 4
Hezbollah's leader rejects the ceasefire agreement and demands that Israel withdraw from Lebanon. Both Hezbollah and Israel continue firing at each other.
June 5
Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard says "there will be no calm in the region " if Israel doesn't withdraw from Lebanon. The fighting since March 2 had killed more than 3,500 people in Lebanon. Almost 30 Israeli soldiers and a defense contractor were killed in or around southern Lebanon, and two civilians were killed in northern Israel.
June 7
Hezbollah continues firing at Israel. Israel strikes Beirut’s southern suburbs. Iran fires at Israel.
June 8
Israel launches airstrikes in the early morning targeting central and western Iran in response to Iranian missile fire. By evening Israel and Iran both appear to have backed down. Netanyahu threatens to resume strikes if Iran launches any more missiles, and says Israel will continue operating against Hezbollah.