War in the Middle East: Lebanon and Israel extend their ceasefire by 45 days

Lebanon and Israel will extend their ceasefire by 45 days, which was due to expire on Sunday, the US State Department announced on Friday, May 15, during a second day of talks between the two Middle Eastern states. Washington. Despite the ceasefire that came into force on April 17, the Israeli army continued to strike pro-Iranian Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, killing at least 400 people, according to an AFP count based on official figures.

By attacking Israel, the Shiite movement dragged Lebanon into the regional war following the launch of the Israeli-American offensive against Iran on February 28. “The cessation of hostilities on April 16 [la date à laquelle l’accord avait été conclu] will be extended by 45 days to allow for further progress,” declared the spokesperson for American diplomacy, Tommy Pigott.

The discussions initiated in the United States capital were “productive and positive”, a senior American official announced on Thursday. Since the start of the war, at least 2,951 people have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities.

In its indirect negotiations with Washington, Iran demands that any truce also concerns Lebanon – namely that Israel stops hitting Hezbollah.