Israel and Lebanon agree to 45-day ceasefire extension as Washington talks wrap up

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 45-day extension of a ceasefire that has reduced fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The agreement came as two days of Washington-facilitated talks concluded with a decision to hold further meetings in the coming weeks.

"The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress," State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said on X, adding that the talks aimed at settling decades of conflict between the two countries were "highly productive." 

The ceasefire was set to expire on Sunday. The Lebanese and Israeli delegations issued positive statements about the talks. 

Lebanon wants hostilities to cease

The U.S.-led mediation between Lebanon ​and Israel has emerged in parallel to diplomacy ​aimed at ending the U.S.-Iran conflict. Iran has ⁠said ending Israel's war in Lebanon is one of its demands for a deal over the wider conflict.

Lebanon's delegation has prioritised a cessation in hostilities in the talks. Israel says Hezbollah must be disarmed as part of any broader peace agreement with Lebanon.

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U.S.-led mediation expands into structured tracks

The Washington meetings, the highest-level contact between Lebanon and Israel in decades, have evolved to include security and military officials.

Pigott said on X that a new "security track" of the negotiations would be launched at the Pentagon on 29 May, while the State Department will convene the two sides again 2-3 June for a political track of negotiations.

Lebanon's delegation said in a statement that it wanted to turn the momentum from the ceasefire into a lasting peace agreement.

"The extension of the ceasefire and the establishment of a U.S.-facilitated security track provide critical breathing space for our citizens, reinforce state institutions, and advance a political pathway toward lasting stability," the delegation said. 

Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter said the talks were "frank and constructive."

"There will be ups and downs, but the potential for success is great. What will be paramount throughout negotiations is the security of our citizens and our soldiers," Leiter said on X.

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Lebanon Israel United States U.S. State Department Middle East Hezbollah peace process