Israel Launches Airstrikes on Hezbollah Targets as Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Extended 45 Days

Israel and Lebanon extended a U.S.-brokered ceasefire for 45 more days after talks in Washington, with the U.S. State Department announcing the extension on Friday and the political delegations to reconvene in early June.

The U.S. said the ceasefire was set to expire Sunday but would continue for 45 more days, while the Pentagon was set to host talks with military delegations from both countries along the security track on May 29.

ABC News

Even as the extension was announced, the Israeli army said it launched a new wave of airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, and Lebanese state media said at least six people were killed in Israeli attacks Friday night with 37 wounded.

The Times of India reported that within hours of the ceasefire extension being announced, Israeli strikes hit multiple areas in southern Lebanon while Hezbollah launched new drone and rocket attacks targeting Israeli military positions.

Al Jazeera said Israel launched another series of air strikes on southern Lebanon a day after the two countries agreed to extend the ceasefire deal for a further 45 days, describing the truce as “ceasefire in name only.”

Lebanon’s delegation in Washington welcomed the 45-day extension, and the Lebanese presidency said the extension of the ceasefire and the establishment of a US-facilitated security track provide “critical breathing space for our citizens.”

Hezbollah opposed the negotiations, and Al Jazeera reported that on Saturday the group issued a new statement condemning the outcome of the talks in Washington and told the government to stop with “concessions.”

Al Jazeera

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott described the talks as “highly productive,” while the Times of India said discussions aimed at reaching a long-term political agreement would resume on June 2 and 3.

The Times of India quoted Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam criticizing Hezbollah indirectly, saying Lebanon had suffered enough from “reckless adventures serving foreign projects or interests.”

Al Jazeera’s Obaida Hitto, reporting from Tyre, said, “Today, there have been artillery strikes in the eastern part of the country,” and described the forced displacement orders released as the ceasefire extension was being announced.

Lebanese authorities said the conflict had killed 2,969 people and wounded 9,112 since March 2, and Al Jazeera added that Israeli attacks have killed more than 500 since the truce was announced on April 16.

“Israel has launched another series of air strikes on southern Lebanon, a day after the two countries agreed to extend a ceasefire deal for a further 45 days following talks in Washington – although this truce has never been observed in practice”

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera reported that the Israeli army issued new forced displacement orders for nine villages in southern Lebanon near Sidon and Nabatieh, including Qaaqaaiyet, al-Snoubar, Kaouthariyet al-Saiyad, al-Marwaniyah, and al-Ghassaniyah.

POLITICO.eu said the U.S. State Department readout from the Lebanese embassy stated the U.S. would “proactively facilitate enhanced military-to-military communication and coordination between Lebanon and Israel,” and that further extension would depend on positive results.

The Times of India reported that the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, warned the humanitarian situation remained “deeply alarming,” while expressing hope the renewed talks could pave the way for a political solution.

The skys news arabic report said the Lebanese presidency’s statement set goals including the return of the displaced, reconstruction, and the release of Lebanese detainees held in Israel, while also describing a phased, verifiable implementation mechanism backed by American guarantees.