Israel and Lebanon extend ceasefire for 45 days amid continued fighting

Israel and Lebanon have extended their contested ceasefire for an additional 45 days despite ongoing heavy attacks by both sides. The agreement was announced following two days of negotiations in Washington, even as Israeli airstrikes killed at least eleven people in Lebanon on Wednesday and Hezbollah reported 33 attacks on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.

The original ceasefire, which took effect on April 17, was set to expire on Sunday but has been renewed despite continued violence. Particularly severe was an Israeli strike on a civil defense center in the town of Harouf in the Nabatieh district, which killed three paramedics and critically injured a fourth. Lebanon's Ministry of Health condemned the direct attack on the health authority-operated facility as a barbaric assault and violation of international humanitarian law.

Hezbollah significantly intensified its attacks on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon. The militia reported 33 coordinated attacks on Friday alone, employing rockets, drones, roadside bombs, and artillery fire. Targets included Israeli troop concentrations, armored vehicles, and military bulldozers across several border villages. The attacks targeted locations including the headquarters of the Israeli army's 300th Brigade and soldiers in the towns of Bint Jbeil and Rashaf.

The ceasefire extension was welcomed by the Lebanese presidency, which simultaneously called for independent monitoring mechanisms and firm guarantees from the United States. In a statement, officials said the extension could reduce pressure on civilians and contribute to stability. The Lebanese delegation described the agreement as providing critical breathing space for citizens and a step toward strengthening state institutions.

The Washington negotiations were mediated by the United States, with the State Department announcing it would reconvene political track negotiations. Additionally, a security track will be established at the Pentagon with military delegations from both countries. Israel's ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, described the negotiations as frank and direct without providing further details.

The humanitarian situation in Lebanon remains dire. Since March 2, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Health, 2,951 people have been killed by Israeli attacks and 8,988 others wounded. Israel reported killing over 220 Hezbollah fighters in the past week, illustrating the intensity of ongoing combat operations.

UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported significant obstruction by Israeli forces. UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said Israeli tanks blocked peacekeepers on two occasions, even pointing their main guns at UN convoys. Three Israeli mortar rounds landed approximately 70 meters from a UN position. The United Nations criticized these restrictions as inconsistent with peacekeepers' freedom of movement obligations.

Despite the formal ceasefire extension, combat operations continue unabated. Hezbollah conducted coordinated attacks using drones, rockets, and artillery against Israeli positions, while Israel continues airstrikes on Lebanese territory. This dynamic raises questions about the practical effectiveness of the agreement.

The attacks have targeted critical infrastructure and civilian facilities. The strike on the civil defense center in Harouf completely destroyed the facility, according to health ministry reports. Hezbollah's operations included sophisticated drone squadrons targeting Israeli forces near Marj pond in Houla and rocket barrages toward Israeli positions across the border region.

UN peacekeepers faced multiple incidents of interference. In one case, an Israeli tank stopped peacekeepers escorting the Lebanese Red Cross south of al-Bayada, pointing its main gun at the convoy before ordering it to leave. In another incident, an Israeli tank briefly blocked a UNIFIL patrol near Naqoura. Such restrictions significantly hamper humanitarian operations and peacekeeping efforts.

The international community is watching developments with growing concern. Lebanon's health ministry accused the international community of enabling Israeli actions through silence and facilitating crimes against humanity. The ministry's statement emphasized that targeting medical personnel and facilities constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law.

While the ceasefire extension provides diplomatic breathing room, the continued violence demonstrates the fragility of the arrangement and the difficulty of achieving lasting peace. The establishment of both political and security tracks in the negotiations suggests recognition that military and diplomatic solutions must proceed in parallel. However, the daily reality of attacks and casualties undermines confidence in the ceasefire's practical implementation and raises questions about its long-term viability.