Lebanon and Israel have agreed to extend their ceasefire for 45 days following their third round of peace negotiations held in Washington, D.C., according to multiple reports. The talks, which began at the U.S. State Department just after 9 a.m., focused on addressing border delineation, security guarantees, and Lebanon’s demand for U.S. guarantees and independent monitoring of the ceasefire, as reported by Middle East Eye and The National (UAE).
The original ceasefire was announced by President Donald Trump on April 23 during a White House meeting and was initially set for three weeks before the extension, according to Channel News Asia and Al-Monitor. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes have continued and reportedly killed at least 11 people in Lebanon in recent weeks, highlighting ongoing tensions even amid negotiations.
Central to the talks is Israel's insistence on Lebanon disarming Hezbollah, a key sticking point in the political and military discussions that are planned to continue with meetings scheduled at the Pentagon and in Beirut, as detailed by The National (UAE). UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the ceasefire extension, emphasizing the importance of efforts to protect civilians in the conflict zone, according to Middle East Eye.
Moving forward, Lebanon and Israel are expected to hold further discussions in the United States to build on the framework of the ceasefire and push towards a more comprehensive peace agreement. Observers will be watching how both sides address Hezbollah’s role and the enforcement of security arrangements, which will be critical to sustaining peace and reducing future hostilities.
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