The White House announced on Sunday that the ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Lebanon, initially brokered with U.S. involvement, has been extended until February 18, 2025. This extension comes after Israel missed its previous deadline to withdraw troops as stipulated under the agreement.
“The arrangement between Lebanon and Israel, monitored by the United States, will continue to be in effect until February 18, 2025,” the White House stated in a brief communication.
The deal, originally reached on November 27 under the leadership of former U.S. President Joe Biden, ended a military campaign by Israel in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group. Under the agreement, the Lebanese army was to deploy alongside United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, while Israel was required to withdraw its troops. However, Israeli officials have recently signaled that they have no intention of meeting the withdrawal deadline, citing Lebanon’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the agreement.
In parallel, Donald Trump’s administration has pledged to negotiate the release of Lebanese prisoners detained during the ongoing hostilities, which escalated following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel.
Meanwhile, tensions along the border have continued to flare. On Sunday, Israeli forces reportedly opened fire on villagers returning to their homes in southern Lebanon, killing 22 people, including six women, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. The Israeli military justified its actions, stating that the individuals posed an “imminent threat” to its troops.
This violence has raised doubts about the sustainability of the ceasefire, which has already been strained by unresolved issues and mutual mistrust. The White House statement notably did not refer to France, which played a critical role alongside the United States in brokering the original deal.
The ceasefire extension, while offering a temporary reprieve, highlights the fragile nature of peace in the region as both nations grapple with deep-seated animosities and ongoing clashes. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely as February 18 approaches, with questions lingering about the effectiveness of the agreement in mitigating further conflict.
Sources By Agencies
