Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire for another 45 days following US-mediated talks in Washington, even as deadly exchanges between Israeli forces and Hezbollah continued along the southern Lebanese border.
The announcement was made by US State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott, who said the cessation of hostilities that began on April 16 would remain in force to allow further diplomatic progress between the two sides.
The extension comes at a time when the border remains volatile despite ongoing negotiations. While Washington is attempting to push both sides towards a broader political understanding, fresh Israeli strikes and Hezbollah attacks have continued to raise concerns over a wider regional escalation.
“The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress,” Piggott said in a post on X.
He added that Israel and Lebanon would resume political negotiations at the US State Department on June 2 and 3, while military representatives from both countries are scheduled to begin parallel security discussions at the Pentagon on May 29.
According to the US State Department, the latest round of direct talks held on Thursday and Friday in Washington was “highly productive”.
“We hope these discussions will advance lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border,” Piggott said, according to Al Jazeera.
Fresh violence continues despite ceasefire
Even as negotiations progressed in Washington, violence continued in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese media reported that Israeli strikes killed at least seven people on Friday, while Lebanon’s Public Health Emergency Operations Center said nearly 2,951 people have been killed and 8,988 injured in Israeli attacks since March 2.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, claimed it carried out multiple attacks targeting Israeli military positions, drones and armoured vehicles in southern Lebanon.
According to Iranian state media Press TV, the group launched 17 operations that included drone strikes, missile attacks and artillery shelling. Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli military bulldozers, Merkava tanks and troop positions near the town of Haddatha.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also confirmed that an interceptor had been launched against a “suspicious aerial target” in southern Lebanon. The military further said Hezbollah had fired anti-tank missiles and mortar shells near areas where Israeli troops were operating.
Talks focus on Hezbollah disarmament and border security
Israeli and Lebanese delegations were both represented by senior diplomats and security officials during the Washington talks.
Israel’s delegation included Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter, while Lebanon was represented by Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Mouawad and former envoy Simon Karam.
According to Israeli officials, discussions are centred on disarming Hezbollah and moving towards formal ties between the two countries.
However, major disagreements remain.
Israel is seeking operational freedom to continue military action against Hezbollah until a broader agreement is finalised. Lebanon, on the other hand, is demanding a full Israeli withdrawal from its territory, an end to airstrikes and a halt to destruction in border villages.
The current round of fighting began on March 2 after Hezbollah launched rockets towards Israel.