Lebanon-Israel ceasefire extended 45 days as US opens security talks

WASHINGTON — Following a third round of talks between Lebanon and Israel held Thursday and Friday in Washington, the United States said the ceasefire between the two sides has been extended and that separate security discussions will be launched later this month.

“The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in an X post following the talks. 

The two sides will reconvene political talks on June 2 and June 3, Pigott said. 

“In addition, a security track will be launched at the Pentagon on May 29 with military delegations from both countries," according to the State Department readout. “We hope these discussions will advance lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border.”

The US delegation for Thursday's and Friday's talks was led by State Department Counselor Michael Needham, along with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa. Lebanon was represented by Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh and Simon Karam, President Joseph Aoun’s special envoy, while Israel sent Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, Deputy National Security Adviser Yossi Draznin and senior military representatives — a sign that security issues played a role in the talks.

Israeli broadcaster Kan reported last week that the two sides would discuss a security agreement to address both the disarmament of Hezbollah and the demarcation of the border between the two countries. Joint working groups are expected to be established to address these issues, Kan reported.

Iranian-backed Hezbollah has firmly rejected any negotiations with Israel, as well as calls for the group’s disarmament. In August 2025, Lebanon’s cabinet instructed the military to bring all non-state weapons under state control — a move directed primarily at Hezbollah in the aftermath of its 2024 war with Israel.

After Hezbollah launched missiles at Israel on March 2 in support of Iran, the Israeli military began a ground invasion in southern Lebanon. Since then, evacuation orders have affected roughly 15% of the country. In late March, Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel intended to establish a “security zone” extending to the Litani River, located roughly 12 to 18 miles from the border. More than 2,000 Lebanese people were killed in Israeli attacks, while at least 14 Israelis were killed by Hezbollah.

Since the ceasefire took effect, Israel has continued to carry out strikes in southern Lebanon. Last Wednesday, Israel also struck Beirut’s southern suburbs — the first attack on the capital since the truce was brokered. According to Lebanese authorities, at least 588 people have been killed and 1,224 others injured in Lebanon since the ceasefire.

On Thursday and on Friday, the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings in south and east Lebanon and later said it was striking Hezbollah targets. Israel also said a Hezbollah drone fell in Israeli territory on Thursday, injuring at least four civilians.