The Israeli army bombed positions of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Lebanon again on Friday. The attack came alongside negotiations in Washington, where the parties agreed to extend the existing ceasefire by 45 days, the US State Department announced.
The Lebanese government itself is not actively involved in the fighting but is responsible for preventing Hezbollah from attacking Israel. Hezbollah never agreed to the ceasefire and continues its shelling despite the agreement. Daily deaths continue in Lebanon, and Israeli troops remain stationed in southern Lebanon.
US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott announced on X a further round of talks for June 2 and 3. A military dialogue between Israeli and Lebanese delegations is scheduled to take place at the Pentagon on May 29. The previous ceasefire deadline would have expired on Sunday.
Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter expressed optimism on X: “The peace talks were open and constructive and are now to be advanced on two tracks: security and political. There will be ups and downs, but the chances of success are high.” Lebanese negotiators also expressed confidence. The extension of the ceasefire and the US-backed security process give citizens a much-needed respite, strengthen state institutions, and pave the way for lasting stability, the news site Naharnet quoted from a statement by the delegation.
Source: www.spiegel.de
