Lebanon has welcomed a U.S.-brokered agreement extending its ceasefire with Israel by 45 days, even as Israeli forces continued to strike southern Lebanese towns and villages, killing civilians and emergency workers.
The extension was announced after two days of direct talks in Washington between Lebanese and Israeli representatives. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the April 16 cessation of hostilities would be extended for 45 days “to enable further progress,” with more meetings expected in the coming weeks.
The agreement had been due to expire on Sunday. Lebanese officials said they welcomed the extension as a chance to reinforce stability, reduce hostilities and continue discussions on unresolved issues, including Israeli withdrawals, detainees and security arrangements along the border.
However, the announcement came as violence continued on the ground. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that at least six people, including three paramedics, were killed and 22 others wounded in an Israeli strike on a civil defence centre in southern Lebanon.
Other Israeli attacks were reported across southern Lebanon on Friday, including strikes around Tyre, where Israel said it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. Lebanese authorities said the day’s toll rose to at least a dozen dead, underscoring the fragility of a truce that has repeatedly been violated since it began.
Israel has said it will continue to act against Hezbollah threats despite the ceasefire. Israeli officials argue that the agreement allows military action against imminent or ongoing attacks, while Lebanon says repeated Israeli strikes undermine the purpose of the truce and continue to endanger civilians.
Hezbollah was not part of the Washington talks, a major complication for any long-term arrangement. The Iran-backed group continues to hold significant influence in Lebanon and has claimed attacks on Israeli troops in response to Israeli operations.
The ceasefire extension offers a temporary diplomatic opening, but the continuing strikes show that the conflict remains far from resolved. For Lebanon, the priority is to stop Israeli attacks and prevent further civilian casualties. For Israel, the stated goal remains preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding military capabilities near the border.
With another 45 days now on the clock, Washington faces the challenge of turning a nominal ceasefire into a real reduction in violence.
