Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire for another 45 days following two days of negotiations in Washington, providing a temporary diplomatic breakthrough despite continued violence along the border.
The extension, announced by the US State Department on Friday, will keep the truce in effect beyond its original expiry date on Sunday while further political and military discussions continue in the coming weeks.
US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott described the talks as “highly productive” and said negotiations aimed at securing a long-term political agreement would resume on June 2 and 3. A separate security dialogue involving military officials from both countries is scheduled to begin at the Pentagon on May 29.
Washington said the discussions are intended to establish lasting peace, reinforce border security and ensure mutual respect for sovereignty between Israel and Lebanon.
However, the ceasefire remains fragile. Shortly after the extension was announced, Israeli airstrikes reportedly targeted several areas in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah launched new drone and rocket attacks against Israeli military positions.
Diplomacy Continues Amid Regional Tensions
The latest negotiations brought Israeli and Lebanese delegations together in Washington as the United States sought to prevent a wider regional conflict.
Lebanon’s delegation said the extension would provide “critical breathing room” for civilians and allow space for negotiations focused on achieving “lasting stability”.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam appeared to criticise Hezbollah indirectly, saying Lebanon had suffered from “reckless adventures serving foreign projects or interests”. He added that the conflict had resulted in Israeli occupation of dozens of Lebanese towns and villages.
Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, said Israel’s primary concern remained national security but expressed optimism about the talks, noting there was “great” potential for progress despite expected challenges.
The negotiations are also linked to broader tensions involving Iran, Hezbollah’s principal backer. Tehran has reportedly insisted that any wider regional understanding with US President Donald Trump must include a lasting ceasefire in Lebanon.
Violence Persists Despite Truce
Despite the diplomatic efforts, clashes and airstrikes have continued across southern Lebanon.
Lebanese officials said an Israeli strike on a Hezbollah-linked health centre in Hanuf killed six people, including three paramedics. Additional strikes in the Tyre district reportedly wounded at least 37 others, including women, children and hospital staff.
Israel said its operations were aimed at Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure. The Israeli military claimed it had killed more than 220 Hezbollah members in the past week and struck hundreds of targets across southern Lebanon.
The Israel Defense Forces also confirmed the death of another Israeli soldier, bringing the number of Israeli troops killed in southern Lebanon since early March to 19.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for several attacks against Israeli forces, including drone strikes, missile launches and ambushes targeting tanks and military vehicles near the border.
The United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, warned that the humanitarian situation remained “deeply alarming”, citing daily airstrikes and mounting civilian casualties. Still, he expressed hope that the renewed diplomatic efforts could eventually lead to a broader political settlement after weeks of violence that Lebanese authorities say have killed nearly 3,000 people since March.
