Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend a ceasefire and hold expanded talks on a political settlement, the United States announced Friday, even as Israel carried out new strikes that it insists are not subject to the truce.
Israel has been pounding Lebanon and invaded its south in response to fire from Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shia movement that is not part of the ceasefire diplomacy.
Envoys from Israel and Lebanon's government, which has struggled to restrain Hzbollah, met for two days in Washington and said they would extend the ceasefire that was set to expire Sunday.
The cessation of hostilities "will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.
He said that the State Department would hold negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent political agreement on June 2 and 3 and that the Pentagon would bring together delegations from the countries' militaries on May 29.
