Washington (TDI): Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire by 45 days following two days of US-facilitated talks in Washington, aimed at reducing tensions and advancing a longer-term settlement between the two sides.
According to US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, the April 16 cessation of hostilities has been extended to allow additional progress in negotiations. He described the discussions as “highly productive,” noting that further rounds of talks are already scheduled in the coming weeks.
The ceasefire, which was due to expire on Sunday, has helped reduce the intensity of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, although sporadic clashes have continued.
The Washington talks marked the third round of meetings between Lebanese and Israeli representatives since violence escalated earlier this year following cross-border attacks and Israel’s subsequent military operations in southern Lebanon. The conflict led to widespread displacement, with more than a million people reportedly forced from their homes.
US officials said the mediation process will now expand into two tracks. A security-focused round of negotiations is expected at the Pentagon on May 29, while political discussions will continue at the State Department on June 2–3.
Washington has framed the process as an effort to build toward a broader agreement that could eventually address border security, sovereignty, and long-term stability between the two countries.
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Lebanon’s delegation said the extension provides critical space to strengthen state institutions and move toward a comprehensive peace framework. It added that Beirut aims to turn the current ceasefire momentum into a lasting agreement that ensures sovereignty and stability across Lebanese territory.
Israel’s delegation also described the talks as constructive, while emphasizing that any future arrangement must guarantee security for Israeli civilians and troops. Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter said that while challenges remain, the negotiations carry “great potential” if both sides remain engaged.
The US mediation effort is taking place alongside broader regional diplomacy involving Iran, as Washington seeks to contain multiple interconnected conflicts across the Middle East. Iranian officials have previously linked progress on the Lebanon front to wider negotiations involving regional security arrangements.
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Despite continued tensions on the ground, the extension of the ceasefire is being viewed as a significant step toward preventing further escalation and keeping diplomatic channels open between two countries that have had limited formal contact for decades.
