WASHINGTON — Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ongoing ceasefire by an additional 45 days following two days of intensive, US-mediated diplomatic talks in Washington, the United States State Department announced.
The extension prevents the temporary cessation of hostilities from expiring this Sunday. According to State Department officials, the negotiated delay provides vital breathing room for diplomats to lay the groundwork for a more permanent political settlement and establish firmer security arrangements along the shared border.
The diplomatic breakthrough divides future negotiations into two distinct operational tracks. Military delegates from both nations will convene at the Pentagon later this month to tackle security arrangements, while political delegations are scheduled to return to the State Department in early June to resume sovereignty talks.
Despite the breakthrough in Washington, the situation on the ground remains deeply fragile. Within hours of the announcement, localized clashes and artillery exchanges persisted in southern Lebanon, highlighting the immense difficulty negotiators face in enforcing the truce along the immediate border zones.
The Lebanese leadership welcomed the extension, stating it offers critical relief for civilians caught in the crossfire. Meanwhile, Israeli diplomatic representatives characterized the bilateral discussions as constructive, noting that ensuring the long-term safety of citizens remains the paramount objective moving forward.
