Lebanon and Israel have reached an agreement to extend their current ceasefire for an additional 45 days after two days of negotiations mediated by the United States in Washington, officials announced Friday.
The talks aimed to move forward with discussions for a more comprehensive agreement, even as violence persists along the border between the two nations.
Tommy Pigott, a spokesperson for the US State Department, described Friday’s meetings between Israeli and Lebanese officials on Thursday and Friday as “highly-productive.”
“The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress,” Pigott said.
According to Pigott, political talks are set to continue in Washington on June 2 and 3, with military representatives from both nations planning to meet separately at the Pentagon on May 29 for security-focused discussions.
The ceasefire extension occurs amid continued violence between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization. Talks have moved forward even as Hezbollah has launched drone and rocket strikes against Israel Defense Forces (IDF) personnel in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
On Saturday, the IDF reported that Capt. Maoz Israel Recanati, 24, a platoon commander in the Golani Brigade’s 12th Battalion from Itamar, died in southern Lebanon when an explosive drone hit troops in the region.
Recanati became the 20th Israeli soldier to die in Lebanon during Operation Roaring Lion and the seventh fatality since the ceasefire began.
His death came one day after Staff Sgt. Negev Dagan, 20, from Dekel, was killed in southern Lebanon by Hezbollah mortar attacks.
Israeli forces have maintained their military operations against what they identify as Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.
Despite ongoing US-mediated negotiations, Hezbollah has refused direct dialogue and remains opposed to any broad peace deal with Israel. The organization has called diplomatic efforts with Israel pointless and labeled the negotiations as a “grave sin” and a “gratuitous and humiliating concession.”
In contrast, the Lebanese government officially advocates for dismantling Hezbollah’s weapons and ensuring the state maintains exclusive control over arms within the country. The government in Beirut also supports strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces’ authority and eliminating Hezbollah’s separate military operations.
