Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their fragile ceasefire by 45 days following two days of US-facilitated negotiations that concluded on Friday, according to statements from Washington.
The extension applies to the 16 April cessation of hostilities, which was originally due to expire on Sunday. The agreement is intended to provide additional time for diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing long-standing tensions and moving towards a more durable arrangement between the two neighbours.
A spokesperson for the US State Department, Tommy Pigott, announced the decision on social media platform X, describing the talks as “highly productive” and confirming that both sides had agreed to continue discussions in the coming weeks.
The negotiations brought together Israeli and Lebanese delegations for their third round of meetings since the escalation of hostilities following cross-border attacks involving Hezbollah and Israeli forces earlier in the year. The conflict had intensified after Hezbollah launched missile attacks on Israel, prompting heavy Israeli air and ground operations in southern Lebanon.
During the earlier phase of fighting, large-scale Israeli bombardment and incursions reportedly displaced around 12 lakh people in southern Lebanon before a US-brokered ceasefire was announced last month after initial diplomatic engagement in Washington involving ambassadors from both sides.
Despite the truce, both sides have continued to accuse each other of violations, with ongoing clashes concentrated along southern Lebanon where Israeli forces maintain positions in a self-declared security zone.
Lebanon’s delegation said it is focused on turning the temporary ceasefire into a longer-term political settlement, stressing that the extension offers “critical breathing space” and an opportunity to strengthen state institutions and improve stability.
On the Israeli side, ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter described the discussions as “frank and constructive,” while emphasizing that security concerns for Israeli civilians and troops remain central to the negotiations.
The diplomatic process is expected to continue, with a new security-focused track scheduled to begin at the Pentagon on 29 May, followed by additional political discussions in Washington on 2-3 June. US officials indicated that future meetings will aim to address both security arrangements and longer-term political pathways towards stability along the border.
