Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their fragile ceasefire by 45 days following two days of negotiations in Washington, the US State Department said.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the discussions are expected to help advance a lasting peace between the two countries, including mutual recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and ensuring security along their shared border.
US President Donald Trump had announced the truce on April 16, but exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah have continued since then.
According to Lebanon’s health ministry, Israeli air strikes killed 22 people, including eight children, across southern parts of the country on Wednesday.
The State Department said political negotiations will resume in June, while a parallel security dialogue involving military delegations from both sides is scheduled to begin at the Pentagon on May 29, Pigott added.
Since the ceasefire took effect, there have been almost daily reports of cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Israel has recently stepped up air and artillery strikes in the region, saying the attack target Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure.
However, Lebanon’s health ministry has accused Israel of striking civilians and paramedics, an allegation denied by Israel.