Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire by 45 days following recent discussions in Washington, announced the U.S. State Department on Friday. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that the extension comes after two days of productive talks and will be followed by further negotiations on June 2 and 3. The ceasefire between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, which was set to expire on Sunday, is being maintained through this agreement.
Pigott expressed hope that the ongoing discussions would contribute to fostering lasting peace between the two nations, mutual recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the establishment of genuine security along their shared border. Despite the focus on extending the fragile ceasefire, both Israel and Hezbollah have continued to engage in hostilities.
The Israeli military confirmed that it conducted strikes on Hezbollah locations in southern Lebanon in response to alerts of hostile aircraft and launches from across the border. Lebanon’s health ministry reported that nearly 40 individuals sustained injuries in Israeli airstrikes near the city of Tyre. One of the strikes resulted in significant damage to a primary health center and caused injuries to six medical personnel at the nearby Hiram Hospital.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah remains active, with both sides exchanging strikes despite the efforts to maintain the ceasefire. This ongoing situation underscores the challenges in achieving a sustainable peace agreement in the region.