Israel and Lebanon extend ceasefire after high-pressure negotiations in Washington

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend for another 45 days the ceasefire that had reduced violence in southern Lebanon between the Israeli army and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah. The announcement was made Friday after two days of talks held in Washington under US mediation.

U.S. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott confirmed that the truce that took effect on April 16 would be extended to allow negotiations to continue. Further meetings between the various parties are expected in the coming weeks to try to solidify the agreement and prevent a resumption of hostilities.

The ceasefire had temporarily calmed the clashes that threatened to escalate into a wider regional conflict. The fighting between Israel and Hezbollah had caused significant tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border, fueling concerns within the international community.

The Lebanese government participated in the discussions despite objections from Hezbollah, which remains wary of the negotiations backed by Washington. According to Lebanese officials, however, Beirut considers the immediate priority to be a lasting end to hostilities and the stabilization of the south of the country.

For its part, Israel continues to demand the disarmament of Hezbollah, which it considers a major threat to its security. This issue remains one of the main sticking points in diplomatic discussions and makes any lasting solution particularly complex.

For several weeks, the United States has been seeking to prevent a broader military escalation in the Middle East, as regional tensions remain high following recent clashes involving Iran and its allies. The extension of the ceasefire is seen as a fragile sign of de-escalation, but upcoming negotiations will be crucial to preventing a renewed outbreak of violence.