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Israel and Lebanon Extend Ceasefire 45 Days, Pentagon Security Talks Set

The US State Department announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire for 45 days. US spokesperson Tommy Pigott described the peace talks as "highly productive," with political negotiations continuing on June 2-3 and a security track at the Pentagon starting May 29. Despite the truce, Hezbollah carried out 17 operations against Israeli military positions, while Israel killed seven people in South Lebanon. The conflict has resulted in 2,951 deaths since March 2, according to Lebanese health ministry data.

Key Points: Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Extended 45 Days

  • Israel and Lebanon agree to 45-day ceasefire extension
  • Pentagon security track scheduled for May 29
  • Hezbollah conducts 17 operations targeting Israeli positions
  • 2,951 killed in Israeli attacks since March 2
2 min read

Israel-Lebanon agree on 45-day ceasefire extension, Pentagon 'security track' on May 29: US State Department

US State Department announces 45-day ceasefire extension between Israel and Lebanon, with security talks at Pentagon on May 29 amid ongoing attacks.

"We hope these discussions will advance lasting peace between the two countries - Tommy Pigott"

Washington DC, May 16

The US State Department on Friday informed that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasfire for the next 45 days amidst the ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon, as per Al Jazeera.

US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott described the peace talks, which concluded in Washington on Friday, as "highly productive" and stressed that the political negotiations would continue on June 2 and 3. Meanwhile, a "security track" would begin at Pentagon on May 29, which will involve the presence of both officials from Israel and Lebanon.

"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," Pigott said as per Al Jazeera.

This comes after Israel killed seven people in South Lebanon on Friday in fresh attacks, Al Jazeera reported, quoting Lebanese state media. As per the country's health ministry, a total of 2,951 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since March 2.

However, amidst the ongoing peace talks, Hezbollah on Wednesday (local time) carried out 17 operations targeting Israeli military positions, forces and vehicles in southern Lebanon, according to Iranian state media Press TV.

Press TV reported that the operations included eight drone strikes, five missile or rocket attacks, one artillery strike, and one guided missile launch.

According to the news agency, Hezbollah targeted two "Nimr" military vehicles, two "Merkava" tanks, one armoured personnel carrier and two military bulldozers during the attacks.

The group also claimed that its fighters "ambushed" Israeli troops near the outskirts of the town of Haddatha, using pre-planted explosives along with 'light and heavy weapons and artillery fire'.Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday, through its official Telegram channel, said that "a short while ago, an interceptor was launched toward a suspicious aerial target identified in the area in which IDF soldiers are operating in southern Lebanon."

The military added that no sirens were activated "in accordance with protocol."

The IDF further said that in several incidents over recent hours, Hezbollah launched an anti-tank missile and several mortar shells that landed adjacent to areas where Israeli troops were operating in southern Lebanon.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sneha F
As someone from Kashmir, I can relate to this endless cycle of talks and attacks. 2,951 people killed since March and they're talking about "security tracks"? 😢 The common people always suffer while politicians play games. We need genuine dialogue, not just photo ops in Washington and Pentagon meetings.
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Nitin Z
Hezbollah launching 17 operations including 8 drone strikes - that's some serious capability. Israel's Iron Dome not stopping everything it seems. But the real issue is civilians caught in crossfire. As an Indian, I worry about our own borders where similar proxy wars happen. We must stay vigilant!
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Arun Y
Pentagon security track on May 29 - America playing mediator again while supplying weapons to both sides? Classic double game. India should take notes: never become dependent on any superpower for your security. We have our own defence manufacturing now, and that's the right path. Self-reliance is the only way!
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Kavitha C
A 45-day ceasefire is like applying band-aid on a bullet wound. How many more cycles of violence and temporary truces before they address root causes? Meanwhile, children in both countries are growing up knowing only conflict. Very sad. 😔 India's peacekeeping experience shows that lasting peace needs grassroots reconciliation, not just elite negotiations.
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Priyanka N
"Full recognition of each other's sovereignty" - easier said than done when Hezbollah operates from Lebanon and Hamas from Gaza. But Israel's disproportionate response killing nearly 3000 civilians is unacceptable. Both sides need international oversight, not just US mediation that always favours Israel. India should push for UN-led peace process.

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