The United States has announced an extension of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah group. The White House stated on Sunday (January 26) that under U.S. mediation, the agreement between Lebanon and Israel will remain in effect until February 18.
In 2023, a ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hezbollah through U.S. mediation to end the conflict. However, last Friday, Israel announced that it would continue its troop deployment in southern Lebanon beyond Sunday’s deadline.
Lebanon has accused Israel of deliberately delaying troop withdrawals. On Sunday, Lebanese authorities reported that Israeli forces killed 22 people in southern Lebanon, including a Lebanese soldier. The incident occurred as thousands of people attempted to return to their homes, defying Israeli military orders.
Israel’s actions have been accused of violating the ceasefire agreement signed in November last year. According to the agreement, Israel was supposed to withdraw its military forces from Lebanon by January 26.
During the war in Gaza, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah also escalated. Over one million people were displaced in Lebanon due to Israeli operations. However, Israel claimed that the main objective of its operations was to seize Hezbollah’s weapons and destroy their infrastructure.
Finally, in November last year, a ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel was brokered by the United States and France, bringing an end to the conflict that had lasted for over a year.
The White House also stated that the governments of Lebanon, Israel, and the United States will soon hold discussions. The primary topic of these talks will be the release of Lebanese detainees captured after October 7, 2023.