Key facts
- Talks between Israeli and Lebanese delegations have been extended for an additional day.
- No agreement principles are expected to be announced on Thursday.
- The United States is facilitating the ongoing negotiations.
- Discussions are scheduled to resume on Friday.
- A previous 45-day ceasefire extension was agreed upon.
- An Israeli strike targeted a Hezbollah-linked center following the ceasefire renewal.
- Hezbollah launched drones targeting Israeli barracks.
- Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called for international support for the negotiations.
Negotiations between Lebanese and Israeli delegations have been extended for another day, with no announcement of agreed principles expected on Thursday, according to Al Jazeera. A US State Department official confirmed that the talks remain ongoing and that Washington continues to facilitate the negotiations. The Israeli and Lebanese delegations are expected to resume discussions on Friday in an effort to reach an agreement.
This comes after Israel and Lebanon previously agreed to a 45-day extension of their ceasefire, as announced by the US State Department. The US spokesperson Tommy Pigott expressed hope that these discussions would advance lasting peace, mutual recognition of sovereignty, and security along their shared border. However, shortly after the ceasefire renewal, an Israeli strike hit a center affiliated with the Hezbollah-linked Islamic Health Committee in southern Lebanon, resulting in six deaths, including three paramedics, and 22 wounded. In response, Hezbollah targeted Israeli barracks with drones. Israeli military stated it struck Hezbollah sites after reporting launches from across the border.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has called for Arab and international support to bolster Lebanon's position in the negotiations. He also stated that the country has had enough of "reckless adventures serving foreign projects or interests" and that the Lebanese military should be the sole armed body in the country.