Israel, Lebanon extending ceasefire, US says, despite new Israeli strikes • FRANCE 24 English

Added: 2026-05-18

[00:00:02]Highly productive. That's how Washington described the two days of talks it facilitated between Israel and Lebanon, which has resulted in a 45-day extension of a shaky ceasefire that was due to expire on Sunday.

[00:00:15]It's an outcome held by the US State Department spokesperson. We hope these discussions will advance lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border.

[00:00:29]The discussions will be followed by more negotiations from the 2nd of June to the 3rd of June, according to the State Department spokesperson.

[00:00:37]Lebanon's delegation says it hopes the truce extension will lead to a lasting peace agreement.

[00:00:42]The extension of the ceasefire and the establishment of a US-facilitated security track provide critical breathing space for our citizens, reinforce state institutions, and advance the political pathway toward lasting stability.

[00:00:58]The truce was announced mid-April, but Israel and Hezbollah have continued to trade blows since then. On Friday, Israel launched fresh strikes on southern Lebanon that it said targeted Hezbollah. According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, bombings here in the Tyre district left dozens of people wounded, including several hospital personnel.

[00:01:17]Residents say civilians are paying a heavy price.

[00:01:22]There's nothing. This was all a shelter for the displaced. There was nothing but children, women, elderly. That's it.

[00:01:31]Lebanese authorities say that since the 2nd of March, Israeli attacks have claimed more than 2,900 lives in the country.