• Lebanon and Israel have extended a ceasefire for 45 days, according to US officials.
• The talks held in Washington were deemed "highly productive" despite ongoing violence.
• Future negotiations are scheduled for June and include military discussions at the Pentagon.

On Friday, Lebanon and Israel agreed to a 45-day extension of their ceasefire, which the U.S. State Department described as a move to enable further progress toward lasting peace. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott emphasized the significance of full recognition of sovereignty and the establishment of security along the border, stating, "The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days" according to Reuters and SCMP.

Despite the extension, violence between Israel and Hezbollah continues. Israeli air strikes have recently resulted in fatalities in Lebanon, including children, showing the fragile nature of the truce. The US engaged in mediation talks over two days, enabling this extension while also scheduling further discussions on June 2 and 3, alongside military talks at the Pentagon set for May 29 according to BBC and SCMP.

The Israeli military has confirmed ongoing attacks against Hezbollah, which are seen as necessary responses to attacks by the group in solidarity with Iran. Reports indicate that these tensions persist despite the diplomatic efforts, highlighting the complexity of achieving a stable ceasefire as air strikes continue across various regions in Lebanon according to SCMP and Reuters.