Israel And Lebanon Have Agreed To Extend Their Ceasefire By 45 Days But Israel Is Still Bombing Lebanon
Hours after the extension was announced on May 15, Israeli strikes hit southern Lebanon again.
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire by another 45 days following US-mediated talks in Washington.
The ceasefire, first announced by US president Donald Trump on April 16 during the wider regional conflict involving Iran, had been due to expire on Sunday.
On Friday, May 15, the US State Department confirmed both sides agreed to extend the truce to allow negotiations to continue.
“The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said, according to Reuters.
The talks marked the third round of negotiations between Israeli and Lebanese delegations since Israel intensified attacks on Lebanon after Hezbollah launched missiles toward northern Israel on March 2, according to Reuters.
Pigott described the discussions as “highly productive” and said further negotiations are planned for June.
Despite the extension, violence has continued throughout the ceasefire period.
Hours after the extension was announced on Friday, May 15, Israeli strikes hit southern Lebanon again, with Lebanese officials saying at least six people, including three paramedics, were killed.
Israel said the strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and militants allegedly preparing rocket launches, according to Reuters.
Israel has continued demanding Hezbollah’s disarmament, while Lebanese officials have pushed for a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and an end to ongoing airstrikes, according to Reuters.
The conflict in Lebanon has continued alongside the wider Israel-Iran war, despite the ceasefire remaining officially in place.
More than one million people were displaced during the fighting in Lebanon before the ceasefire first took effect in April, Reuters reported.
The ceasefire has now been extended multiple times as US officials attempt to turn the temporary truce into a broader political and security agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
Sofia Hou
Cherry Mohamed
Cherry Mohamed
