Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their existing ceasefire by 45 days following the conclusion of US-facilitated talks in Washington aimed at reducing hostilities and advancing broader negotiations.
According to the US State Department, the cessation of hostilities originally agreed on April 16 will now remain in effect for an additional 45 days to allow further diplomatic progress. The truce had been due to expire on Sunday.
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US officials described the latest round of talks as productive, with both Israeli and Lebanese delegations issuing positive statements after the meetings. The discussions marked the third round of negotiations since Israel intensified military operations in Lebanon following missile attacks launched by Hezbollah earlier this year.
The conflict escalated sharply after Hezbollah fired missiles into Israel in early March, coinciding with the wider US-Israel confrontation involving Iran. Subsequent Israeli airstrikes and military operations in southern Lebanon displaced large numbers of civilians before a ceasefire was announced last month.
Despite the truce, low-level hostilities and exchanges of fire have continued, particularly in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces maintain positions in a self-declared security zone.
Lebanon’s delegation attended the Washington talks despite objections from Hezbollah, which has opposed negotiations involving Israel. Lebanese officials said their priority remains securing a complete halt to hostilities and stabilising the southern border region.
Concluding 2 days of negotiations with Lebanese and American officials, I’m looking forward to the next steps.
The peace talks were frank and constructive, and are set to move forward on two tracks: security and political.
There will be ups and downs, but the potential for… https://t.co/JPcspMjWqv
— Ambassador Yechiel (Michael) Leiter (@yechielleiter) May 15, 2026
On May 14 and 15, the United States hosted two days of highly-productive talks between Israel and Lebanon. The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress. The State Department will reconvene the political track of negotiations on June… pic.twitter.com/Dcs9NJDdN5
— Tommy Pigott (@statedeptspox) May 15, 2026
Israel has maintained that any long-term agreement must include the disarmament of Hezbollah as part of a broader peace arrangement.
The negotiations are now expanding into separate political and security tracks. The US announced that a new security-focused round of discussions will take place at the Pentagon on May 29, while another political session is scheduled for early June at the State Department.
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Lebanese officials described the ceasefire extension as an opportunity to strengthen state institutions, protect civilians and build momentum toward a more durable peace framework.
Israeli representatives also characterised the talks as constructive, while emphasising that national security remains their central priority.
Diplomatic efforts involving Lebanon and Israel are being closely watched as part of wider regional negotiations connected to tensions with Iran and broader Middle East stability.