The discussions, described as "productive," aim to foster lasting peace and mutual recognition between the two nations. A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been extended by 45 days following another round of talks in Washington, the US State Department announced on Friday. US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott described the two days of discussions as “productive” and said further negotiations are scheduled for June 2-3. The truce, aimed at preventing further escalation between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group, had been set to expire on Sunday. “We hope these discussions will advance lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border,” Pigott said in a statement shared on social media. The extension comes amid ongoing efforts by Washington to stabilise the volatile Israel-Lebanon border region and prevent renewed hostilities. "We hope these discussions will advance lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border," Pigott said on social media. Despite the ceasefire, clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon have continued. Israeli strikes killed at least nine people and wounded dozens in southern Lebanon on Friday, reports Xinhua, citing the Lebanese National News Agency. Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli drones, troops, military bulldozers, and a Merkava tank in several areas of southern Lebanon. Lebanon's Public Health Emergency Operations Center said that Israeli attacks between March 2 and May 15 killed 2,951 people and wounded 8,988 others. During the talks, Israel was represented by its ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, and senior security officials, while Lebanon's delegation included its ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamadeh Mouawad, and former Lebanese Ambassador to the United States Simon Karam. According to the Israeli official, the talks are being held to disarm Hezbollah and reach an agreement to form official ties with Lebanon. Israel wants to preserve freedom to carry out air and ground operations against Hezbollah until an agreement is reached, while Lebanon is demanding an Israeli withdrawal from its territory, a halt to Israeli strikes and an end to the destruction of villages near the border. Ananya is a journalist with a strong grounding in breaking news and a deep-rooted passion for geopolitics. She has 6 years of experience in TV and Dig... View More