A ceasefire between the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and Israel is to be extended by 45 days, the United States said on Friday.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott announced the extension on the platform X. Hezbollah has not yet commented. The truce has been frequently violated by both sides in recent weeks, raising doubts about its effectiveness.
Pigott also said another round of talks between representatives of Israel and Lebanon, mediated by the US, is scheduled for June 2 and 3. Ahead of that, a military-level dialogue between delegations from both countries is set to take place at the Pentagon on May 29.
The extension was announced following a third round of talks between Israeli and Lebanese government representatives in Washington. The previous ceasefire deadline had been due to expire on Sunday.
Lebanon and Israel first agreed to a ceasefire in mid-April. However, cross-border fire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah has continued, with both sides accusing each other of violations. Fatalities are still reported daily in Lebanon.
The Israeli military continues to maintain troops in southern Lebanon, where clashes with Hezbollah persist. The Israeli Air Force has also carried out near-daily strikes in the south and recently hit a suburb of Beirut, killing the commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan unit, according to Israeli statements.
Under the original agreement, the Lebanese government — with international support — is to prevent Hezbollah from launching attacks against Israeli targets from Lebanese territory. Israel, in turn, is to refrain from “offensive military operations” in Lebanon, while retaining the right to defend against imminent or ongoing threats.
Since the outbreak of the latest conflict in early March, around 2,900 people have been killed in Lebanon, including nearly 200 children, health authorities say.
Talks in Washington
Since mid-April, Lebanon and Israel have been holding direct political talks in Washington for the first time in decades, mediated by the Trump administration.
Israel is seeking a long-term peace process with Lebanon, including the disarmament of Hezbollah. The Lebanese government, which is not an active party to the conflict, has prioritized de-escalation and a lasting ceasefire, and has repeatedly ruled out normalizing relations under current conditions.
US President Donald Trump is also pushing for a high-level meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, though Lebanon has so far rejected the idea.
Hezbollah is opposed the talks with Israel, describing them as a capitulation. The group is demanding an end to Israeli attacks and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon. It has never formally agreed to the current ceasefire.
