ISRAEL AND LEBANON AGREE TO EXTEND US-BROKERED CEASEFIRE BY 45 DAYS, STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS. (PHOTO).
Israel and Lebanon agree to extend US-brokered ceasefire by 45 days, State Department says Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend a U.S.-brokered ceasefire by 45 days, according to U.S. officials, in an effort to allow further progress in ongoing negotiations aimed at reducing hostilities along their shared border. A State Department spokesperson said the April 16 cessation of hostilities would be extended by an additional 45 days following what officials described as “highly productive” talks held in Washington on Thursday and Friday. The two sides are expected to resume negotiations on June 2 and June 3. The discussions mark the third round of meetings between Israel and Lebanon since renewed fighting escalated earlier this year, including Israeli airstrikes following missile fire from Hezbollah and subsequent Israeli ground operations in southern Lebanon. While the conflict has continued in parallel with broader regional tensions, officials said violence has largely remained ...
