The United States announced on Friday that Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend a ceasefire and hold broader negotiations to end the ongoing conflict amid Israel’s newer strikes on the Arab nation, which it insists are not subjected to the ceasefire.
Israel has been intensifying airstrikes on Lebanon after tensions escalated between Tel Aviv and Iran-affiliated group Hezbollah. Hezbollah is confirmed to not be part of the ceasefire agreement.
Diplomats from Israel and Lebanon met for two days in Washington and agreed to extend the ceasefire that was set to expire this Sunday. U.S State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said that the truce “will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress”. Pigott also said the State Department would hold talks to reach a permanent political agreement on June 2 and 3 and that the Pentagon would bring together delegations from both countris’ militaries on May 29.
Lebanon’s delegation said that the ceasefire extension and possibility of military negotiations would give “critical breathing room for our citizens” aimed at “lasting stability”.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam implied distaste for Hezbollah’s actions, speaking at an NGO dinner in Beirut that the nation has had “enough of these reckless adventures serving foreign projects or interests.” He said the latest conflict brought about “a war we did not choose but was forced upon us, which led to Israel occupying 68 towns and villages.”
The United States has been vocal about its support of Israel, its partner in the joint operations against Iran on February 28 which kickstarted the current war in West Asia. However, it has subtly expressed unease about Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon.
Israel’s ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter, who led his side’s delegation, said that the priority was ensuring Israel’s security.
He posted on X, “There will be ups and downs, but the potential for success is great.”
