WASHINGTON, April 24: US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group by three weeks, following talks at the White House.
The meeting, attended by the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors, marked the second round of discussions in a week and represents a rare instance of direct diplomacy between the two countries, which have technically been at war since 1948.
Trump described the talks as productive but acknowledged the complexity posed by Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group that has opposed the negotiations.
Since the initial ceasefire began, there have been multiple violations by both sides. Despite this, the extension is seen as a step toward de-escalation. The original 10-day ceasefire had been set to expire soon.
The US has pledged support for Lebanon in strengthening its security, particularly against Hezbollah. Trump also indicated he may soon host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Washington for further discussions aimed at formalizing peace.
Both ambassadors expressed cautious optimism. Israel reiterated its right to self-defense, while Lebanon emphasized hopes for rebuilding and stability.
Meanwhile, Lebanon is pushing for broader negotiations to include a full cessation of Israeli attacks, withdrawal of Israeli troops, release of prisoners, deployment of Lebanese forces along the border, and reconstruction efforts.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has urged Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, calling it the primary obstacle to peace.
Hezbollah itself has rejected the diplomatic process and stated it will not abide by agreements reached without its involvement.
The conflict reignited after Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel, prompting Israeli airstrikes and a ground invasion into southern Lebanon.
Israel currently maintains a buffer zone in the region, citing security concerns. The fighting has caused heavy casualties, with around 2,300 deaths in Lebanon and over one million people displaced.
Tensions remain high despite the ceasefire. A recent Israeli strike that killed a Lebanese journalist and allegations of attacks on rescue teams have fueled anger in Lebanon.
The Lebanese government is considering documenting alleged war crimes and possibly approaching the International Criminal Court.
While the ceasefire extension offers a temporary pause, lasting peace remains uncertain amid ongoing hostilities, political divisions, and Hezbollah’s continued resistance to negotiations. (AP)
