Israel and Lebanon strike new ceasefire deal, halting fire for longer
Soldiers of the Israeli army (Photo: Getty Images)
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend the ceasefire for 45 days. This came after US President Donald Trump first announced such a truce on April 16, according to Reuters.
The US State Department noted that the cessation of hostilities would be extended to ensure further progress in peace negotiations between the two sides.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott called the talks between Israel and Lebanon that took place in Washington very productive and said the countries would resume negotiations on June 2 and 3.
The agency emphasizes that this week’s talks were the third meeting between the parties since Israel intensified airstrikes on Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel, three days after the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran.
What preceded the extension of the ceasefire
The two sides were to meet for negotiations in the US on May 14–15. The delegations were supposed to form a comprehensive peace and security agreement, but as it turned out, they only managed to extend the ceasefire.
The ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel was brokered by the US on April 16. Lebanon’s prime minister welcomed Trump’s announcement of the ceasefire. Israel’s prime minister stressed that the IDF would remain on strategic positions.
