U.S. Says Lebanon Ceasefire Will Be Extended as Hezbollah Launches Attacks at Israel’s North

(Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

The U.S. State Department announced overnight (between Friday and Saturday) that the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by 45 days, "to allow progress on the issue." The statement said that "the decision was reached after two days of diplomatic talks between representatives of the countries in Washington.

It was also announced that "the State Department will reconvene the political track of the negotiations on June 2 and 3. In addition, a security track will be launched at the Pentagon on May 29, with the participation of military delegations from both countries. We hope these discussions will advance sustainable peace between the two countries."

Israel’s ambassador in Washington, Yechiel Leiter, who represents Israel in the negotiations with Lebanon in Washington, said that "the peace talks were open and constructive, and they are expected to move forward on two tracks: security and political." Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam commented on the end of the round of talks and said that "the state can function only with one national decision — the decision of its constitutional institutions — and one weapon, which is the weapon of its army."

He added: "Enough of the reckless adventures that serve foreign interests, the latest of which was a war we did not choose but was imposed on us, which led to the occupation of 68 villages by Israel. Enough of incitement and accusations of treason. This will not intimidate us, and we remain steadfast in our national choices."

The American announcement drew a brief response from Hezbollah. The organization issued a statement saying that "we are responding to Israel’s attacks." Over the course of the weekend, the terror organization launched UAVs, drones, and rockets toward the north. Alerts were heard over the past day in Meron, along the confrontation line, in Rosh HaNikra and nearby communities, in Shlomi, and elsewhere.

(Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

The IDF Spokesperson said this evening that over the weekend, the IDF struck about 100 targets in various areas of southern Lebanon. Observation posts, terror infrastructure, and a Hezbollah weapons depot were targeted, from which Hezbollah operatives had advanced terror plans against IDF forces and the State of Israel.

In addition, the IDF yesterday struck further military infrastructure belonging to the terror organization in the Tyre area of southern Lebanon. In several different incidents over the past day, Hezbollah launched hostile aircraft, mortar shells, and explosive drones that fell near the area where IDF forces are operating in southern Lebanon.

The IDF said that over the past week, the IDF struck more than 440 targets and eliminated more than 220 operatives in southern Lebanon.