Washington pushes security talks as Israel demands sovereignty, border safety, and Hezbollah’s total disarmament.
The US State Department announced Friday that the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by 45 days, giving both sides more time to continue negotiations under Trump administration mediation.
The announcement followed a third round of talks in Washington, DC, where Israeli, Lebanese, and American officials held two days of discussions aimed at moving the process toward a durable security and political agreement.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the May 14 and 15 meetings were highly productive and confirmed that the April 16 cessation of hostilities will remain in place for another 45 days. He also said political negotiations will resume on June 2 and June 3, while a separate security track will begin at the Pentagon on May 29 with military delegations from both countries.
The US said the talks are intended to advance lasting peace, mutual recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and genuine security along the shared border. For Israel, however, the central test remains clear: any agreement must protect Israeli civilians and soldiers from Hezbollah’s Iranian-backed terror infrastructure.
Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter described the talks as frank and constructive, noting that negotiations will now move forward on both political and security tracks. He warned that there will be difficulties, but said the potential for success is significant if the safety of Israeli citizens and troops remains the guiding priority.
US officials said the latest discussions focused on a security framework and the complete disarmament of Hezbollah. That demand remains essential because Hezbollah continues to undermine stability while claiming political legitimacy inside Lebanon.
Even as diplomats discussed peace, Hezbollah reportedly violated the ceasefire on Friday by launching mortar shells and explosive drones toward Israeli territory. The attacks highlight Israel’s concern that paper agreements are meaningless without enforcement, disarmament, and a firm end to Iranian-backed aggression on its northern border.
