Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended by 3 weeks says Trump after direct talks at White House

President says he looks forward to hosting Israeli, Lebanese leaders at White House.

Lebanon will ask to extend the ceasefire with Israel and stop home demolitions in southern villages during Thursday’s talks in Washington, a senior Lebanese official said.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity to Anadolu, said the meeting scheduled for Thursday evening is a follow-up to a preparatory session held last week.

“Lebanon will request during the meeting an extension of the ceasefire and a halt to the demolition of homes and the bulldozing of houses in occupied villages,” the source said.

The talks at the ambassadorial level in Washington aim at reaching a peace agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

A 10-day ceasefire announced by the US on April 16 is set to expire Sunday and has been violated daily by Israel.

Over 2,200 people have been killed and more than 1 million displaced by expanded Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2, soon after the start of the Iran war.

Israel launches fresh strikes in southern Lebanon despite ceasefire extension

Attacks reported hours after US-announced truce prolongation.

The Israeli army carried out airstrikes and artillery shelling across southern Lebanon early Friday despite a recently announced extension of a ceasefire, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported.

Israeli warplanes struck a house in the town of Touline in the Marjayoun district at dawn, followed by artillery shelling in the area. Additional airstrikes targeted the town of Kherbet Selm, the agency said.

In the Tyre district, Israeli aircraft carried out raids on the outskirts of Majdal Zoun, while overnight strikes also hit the Rihan heights in the Jezzine area.

The attacks came hours after US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon had been extended by three weeks following ambassador-level talks at the White House.

The US-brokered 10-day ceasefire, which took effect on April 16, had been set to expire on Sunday.

Since March 2, expanded Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed more than 2,200 people and displaced over 1 million, according to Lebanese authorities.

AA