Israel And Lebanon Agree To 45-Day Ceasefire Extension After Washington Talks

Washington: Israel and Lebanon have extended their US-brokered ceasefire agreement for another 45 days. The US State Department confirmed this on Friday. This decision was taken after two days of talks in Washington and now the next round between the two countries will be held on June 2 and 3.

Did this conversation increase hope for lasting peace?

The US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said that the atmosphere of talks between the two countries was positive. He expressed hope that this will establish permanent peace on the border, both countries will respect each other's sovereignty and the security system will be strengthened.

This meeting is also considered special because it was the third round of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon. The earlier ceasefire was scheduled to end on Sunday. The conflict has stopped to a great extent but the tension on the border between Israel and Hezbollah has not completely ended yet.

Many important issues came up in the conversation. Lebanon's biggest demand is that Israeli forces completely withdraw from southern Lebanon. Along with this, the issues of Hezbollah's weapons and border security also remained on the table. Officials of both countries are trying to agree on a new and permanent ceasefire arrangement. 

Why does the Trump administration seem interested in this matter?

The Trump administration's interest in this entire matter is also not a new thing. US President Donald Trump has been trying to broker an agreement between these two countries for a long time. In fact, it's not just about today. Israel and Lebanon have been officially at war since 1948, when Israel was founded. This is a decades-old enmity which has not yet reached any concrete result. America wants that the tension between these two neighbouring countries should be reduced and a permanent peace can be established on the border.

Is Hezbollah part of these talks?

The Iran-backed organisation Hezbollah is not involved in these talks and has also opposed Lebanon's direct talks with Israel. Despite this, the process of firing and attacks from both sides on the border has not stopped.

Will Netanyahu and the Lebanese president meet?

Trump has expressed his desire to hold a direct meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But at present Joseph Aoun has refused to meet or talk directly to Netanyahu because this could further increase the political dispute in Lebanon.

For now, all eyes are on the meeting on June 2 and 3 – that will decide whether this ceasefire will truly become the foundation of a lasting peace or just another temporary reprieve.