Israel extends ceasefire by 45 days

Israel and Lebanon agreed on Friday to extend their ceasefire by 45 days, with talks set to expand on security arrangements along the border. The deal, mediated by the U.S., runs through late June and includes a new "security track" discussion hosted by the Pentagon on May 29. Hours later, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, killing six people—the first such action since the extension. The IDF said the strikes responded to a Hezbollah drone launch toward northern Israel earlier that day. 1/ The original ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect Nov. 27, 2024, after 14 months of cross-border fighting tied to the Gaza war. It halted daily exchanges of fire that killed more than 4,000 in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and displaced 1.2 million. Hezbollah lost key leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah, in Israeli operations. 2/ Under the Nov. 2024 U.S.-brokered deal, IDF forces withdrew south of the Litani River, about 30 km (19 miles) from the border, while Hezbollah fighters pulled back north. Lebanese army troops deployed to southern villages to enforce the truce. U.N. peacekeepers monitored compliance. 3/ Friday's extension adds 45 days to the truce, pushing the deadline to July 2. It also broadens negotiations to include border demarcation and security buffers. U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein helped seal the agreement, per Lebanese officials. 4/ The IDF struck five Hezbollah sites near Kfar Kila and Maroun al-Ras around 7 p.m. local time Friday, shortly after the drone incident. One strike hit a "terrorist infrastructure site," the IDF said. Lebanon's Health Ministry reported six dead, all men aged 25-42, and 15 wounded. 5/ Hezbollah confirmed the drone launch was "reconnaissance" toward an IDF post in Metula, Israel. No Israeli casualties were reported. The group vowed response but held fire overnight. 6/ Lebanon ordered evacuations in nine southern villages: Aytaroun, Blat, Doueir, Hanine, Hula, Kfarkela, Maroun al-Ras, Metula (Israeli side), and Tallousa. IDF sirens sounded in northern Israel, urging 60,000 residents near the border to stay vigilant. 7/ The Pentagon's May 29 "security track" will focus on long-term border arrangements, including demilitarized zones. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called it a step to "prevent Hezbollah rearmament." Lebanese PM Najib Mikati said it aims for a "permanent" end to hostilities. 8/ Violations have tested the original truce: Israel struck Hezbollah 70+ times since November, mostly for alleged breaches, per U.N. data. Hezbollah fired rockets 50 times, Lebanon reported. Friday's clash is the most lethal post-extension incident. 9/ Hezbollah, backed by Iran, entered Israel's war on Gaza Oct. 8, 2023, with 8,000+ rockets. Israel's response leveled southern Lebanon infrastructure. The group now numbers ~30,000 fighters, down from 50,000 pre-war, Israeli estimates say. 10/ Diplomatic window stays open through July 2, with U.S.-led talks. Next flashpoint: May 29 Pentagon meeting. Both sides have incentives to avoid full war amid Gaza talks and Lebanon's economic crisis (GDP down 40% since 2019).