On Sunday, the White House confirmed that the agreement between Lebanon and Israel, overseen by the United States, will remain in place until February 18, 2025.
“The Government of Lebanon, the Government of Israel, and the Government of the United States will also begin negotiations for the return of Lebanese prisoners captured after October 7, 2023,” the White House statement added.
This announcement followed the expiration of the original 60-day ceasefire agreement, which ended without the IDF pulling out of Lebanon as initially planned.
On Friday, an official from Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s Office revealed that the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon would be postponed past Sunday, explaining that Lebanon had not fully implemented the ceasefire terms.
The White House supported Israel’s stance, stating on Friday that a “short, temporary ceasefire extension is urgently needed” in Lebanon.
“President Trump is committed to ensuring Israeli citizens can safely return to their homes in northern Israel, while also supporting President Aoun and the new Lebanese government,” National Security Council Spokesman Brian Hughes explained in a statement.
Hughes further noted that all parties involved share the objective of preventing Hezbollah from threatening both the Lebanese population and their neighboring countries.
“To achieve these goals, a short, temporary ceasefire extension is urgently needed,” Hughes continued, adding, “We are pleased that the IDF has started the withdrawal from the central regions, and we continue to work closely with our regional partners to finalize the extension.”
On Sunday, hundreds of Lebanese citizens attempted to enter Shiite villages near the Israeli border in southern Lebanon, despite an IDF warning urging Lebanese residents to stay away from border areas.
In response, the IDF fired warning shots with machine guns and tanks towards those who were approaching. Lebanese army and UNIFIL forces were on-site but were unable to disperse the crowd.
According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, 11 people were killed and dozens were injured as a result of IDF gunfire during the incident.
{Matzav.com Israel}