UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed his approval of the 45-day extension of the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel. The United Nations fully supports endeavors to halt hostilities and ease the suffering of communities along the Blue Line, the border demarcation between the two countries. Guterres emphasizes the importance of upholding the ceasefire, refraining from further attacks, and adhering to international law, including humanitarian laws.
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to prolong the ceasefire that commenced last month for an additional 45 days. The extension aims to facilitate progress in ongoing negotiations. Political discussions are scheduled to resume at the US State Department on June 2-3, while military representatives will engage in security talks at the Pentagon on May 29. The recent direct talks between the two nations were described as highly productive by State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott.
Despite the ceasefire, clashes persist between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Recent Israeli airstrikes in the region resulted in casualties and injuries. Hezbollah retaliated by targeting Israeli military assets. The Public Health Emergency Operations Center in Lebanon reported significant human losses due to Israeli attacks during the specified period.
Representatives from Israel and Lebanon participated in constructive discussions in Washington. Israel’s delegation included its ambassador and senior security officials, while Lebanon was represented by its ambassador and former envoy to the US. The talks aimed to address the ongoing conflict and seek peaceful resolutions.
