- By Priyanka Koul
- Sat, 16 May 2026 07:43 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire: Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire for another 45 days following two days of US-mediated talks in Washington. The negotiations concluded with both sides agreeing to hold further discussions in the coming weeks as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent fresh escalation along the Israel-Lebanon border.
The development was confirmed by the US State Department, which has been facilitating dialogue between the two countries. In a post on X, US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott wrote, “The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress.”
On May 14 and 15, the United States hosted two days of highly-productive talks between Israel and Lebanon. The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress. The State Department will reconvene the political track of negotiations on June… pic.twitter.com/Dcs9NJDdN5
— Tommy Pigott (@statedeptspox) May 15, 2026
He described the negotiations as “highly productive” and said Washington hopes the talks will pave the way for “lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border.”
Despite the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States earlier, Israeli strikes in Lebanon continued, while clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah-linked fighters persisted in southern Lebanon, a region where the group maintains strong influence.
Hamas Commander Killed In Gaza
On the Gaza front, Israel on Friday killed Izz al-Din al-Haddad, chief of Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, in an airstrike.
Haddad had assumed command of Hamas’ military operations after the killing of Mohammed Sinwar in May 2025.
Considered one of Hamas’ top commanders, Haddad was allegedly involved in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Reports said the Israeli strike killed three people and injured at least 20 others.
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To target Haddad, Israel struck an apartment building and a vehicle in Gaza City. According to Reuters reports, Haddad was present at one of the targeted sites.
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Following the operation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Haddad was involved in the killing of Israeli civilians and had therefore been “eliminated.”