The United States on Friday announced a 45-day extension of a porous ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, even as the Iran-backed terror group continued to clash with IDF soldiers and launch missiles and drones into Israeli territory.

The announcement came after Israel and Lebanon wrapped up a third round of negotiations in Washington, which was described by State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott as “highly productive,” adding that the truce extension will “enable further progress.”

The third round, which lasted two days, included military officials from both sides for the first time, with Israel’s acting defense attaché to the US Brig. Gen. Arik Ben Dov, and head of the IDF’s Strategic Division Brig. Gen. Amichai Levin representing Israel.

The State Department will reconvene the political track of negotiations on June 2 and June 3, Pigott said.

In addition, a security track will be launched at the Pentagon on May 29 with military delegations from both countries.

“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.

Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter said the talks were “frank and constructive.”

“I’m looking forward to the next steps,” he posted on X. “There will be ups and downs, but the potential for success is great. What will be paramount throughout negotiations is the security of our citizens and our soldiers.”

The Lebanese delegation welcomed the extension of the ceasefire and touted the establishment of separate military and political tracks that will meet separately in the coming weeks at the State Department and Pentagon.

“Lebanon will continue to engage constructively in negotiations while safeguarding its sovereignty and protecting the safety of its people,” the statement from the Lebanese delegation said.

It added that the pillars of Beirut’s position are restoration of its sovereignty, return of the displaced, reconstruction, release of detainees, recovery of remains, and the establishment of an independent verification mechanism.

“Lebanon is negotiating for a future in which its borders are respected, its sovereignty is upheld solely by its Lebanese Armed Forces, and its people can live in lasting peace and security,” the statement added.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said his country has had enough “reckless” wars for foreign interests, calling for Arab and international support in Beirut’s negotiations with Israel, in a reference to Hezbollah launching two wars in support of Iran.

Speaking at an NGO dinner, Salam said that he hoped to “mobilize all Arab and international........

© The Times of Israel