Lebanon and Israel Agree to 45-Day Ceasefire Extension

Lebanon and Israel have agreed to extend a ceasefire for 45 days after two days of talks in Washington. The Lebanese delegation said in a statement that the extension could ease pressure on civilians and support stability. Officials stressed the need for a step-by-step and verifiable process supported by the United States to avoid failures of previous agreements.

The Lebanese delegation welcomed the extension while noting that Israel continued military operations. At least 11 people were killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on the day the agreement was reached. An Israeli air strike on an ambulance centre in the town of Harouf killed six people, including three paramedics, and wounded 22 others.

Israel's ambassador to the U.S. described the talks as frank and constructive. The ambassador said there will be ups and downs but the potential for success is great. The Lebanese side stated that the extension and a U.S.-facilitated security track provide critical breathing space for citizens and advance a political pathway toward lasting stability.

A research director at the American Center for Levant Studies said the ceasefire extension shows that all parties still have value in containing escalation and keeping diplomatic channels open. The director added that the arrangement should not be mistaken for a stable or lasting resolution because it operates as a fragile containment framework alongside continued military pressure on the ground.

The central issue is whether any understanding reached in Washington can be implemented inside Lebanon, the director said. Israel continues to prioritise long-term security guarantees and restrictions on Hezbollah’s military capabilities near the border.