The ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel has been extended by three weeks.

US President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel has been extended by three weeks. Reuters reported this.

 

It was reported that the decision was made at the conclusion of high-level negotiations held at the White House.

 

The meeting was attended by Israel's Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon's Ambassador to the US, Nada Movad. The negotiations were mediated by the US.

 

According to Trump, the agreement serves to reduce the level of violence, and there is a possibility of reaching a potential peace deal between the parties. He stated that a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is planned in the near future.

 

The US side announced that it would help Lebanon defend itself against Hezbollah. This group did not participate in the negotiations and describes its actions as "resistance against invading forces."

 

The previous 10-day truce was reached last week between the parties' envoys and was initially expected to end on Sunday. Although the agreement has reduced violence, clashes continue in southern Lebanon. Israel controls an area in this region it calls a "buffer zone."

 

The Lebanese side plans to raise issues in upcoming negotiations regarding the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the return of captured civilians, and the clarification of the land border between the states.

 

Israel, however, emphasizes that the main focus should be on limiting Hezbollah's activities. According to Ambassador Leiter, a lenient approach towards this group makes it difficult to achieve common goals.

 

Additionally, an increase in the number of casualties in the region has been recorded in recent days. According to Lebanese reports, several people, including journalist Amal Khalil, have been killed as a result of Israeli strikes.

 

Hezbollah representative Hassan Fadlallah stated that he is in favor of continuing the truce, but emphasized that this depends on the full implementation of the agreement by Israel.

 

According to reports, nearly 2,500 people have been killed in Lebanon as a result of military operations that have been ongoing since March 2. Israel controls an area 5–10 kilometers deep in the southern regions, aiming to protect its northern territories from rocket attacks.

 

The Israeli army warned the population of southern Lebanon not to approach these areas.