The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Reuters reported that Lebanon and Israel have agreed to extend their ceasefire for three weeks following high-level talks at the White House hosted by Donald Trump.
Trump held a meeting in the Oval Office with Israel’s
ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon’s ambassador to the
United States, Nada Moawad, as part of U.S.-facilitated negotiations.
Trump said the meeting went well and expressed optimism
about the prospects for peace, adding that there is a strong chance the two
countries could reach a broader agreement this year. He also said he looks
forward to hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese
President Joseph Aoun in future talks.
The ceasefire, which was due to expire soon, has led to a
reduction in violence, although clashes have continued in southern Lebanon.
Israeli forces remain deployed in parts of the area, which Israel says is
necessary to prevent attacks by Hezbollah.
Recent violence has underscored the fragility of the truce.
Lebanese authorities said Israeli strikes killed several people, including a
journalist, while Israel said it targeted individuals posing a threat to its
forces.
Lebanese officials have called for a full Israeli
withdrawal, the return of detainees, and clear border demarcation in the next
phase of negotiations. Meanwhile, Israeli representatives have emphasized the
need to address Hezbollah’s presence and activities.
The United States has indicated it will continue supporting
Lebanon’s security efforts but has not provided details on how it would assist
in countering Hezbollah.
The extension comes as tensions remain high following
renewed hostilities in March, when clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces
escalated amid broader regional conflict. Since then, thousands of people have
been killed in Lebanon, and large areas in the south have been affected by
ongoing violence.
