Jan. 26 (UPI) — A U.S. backed ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel will remain in effect until the middle of next month, the White House announced Sunday.
“The arrangement between Lebanon and Israel, monitored by the United States, will continue to be in effect until February 18, 2025,” the White House said in a statement.
The statement also said that the governments of Lebanon, Israel, and the United States will also begin negotiations for the return of Lebanese prisoners captured after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The White House announcement came amid yet more bloodshed in the region. Israeli forces killed 22 people in south Lebanon on Sunday as a deadline for their withdrawal passed and thousands of people tried to return to their homes, which violated Israeli military orders, Lebanese authorities claimed.
Lebanon has accused the Israeli military of procrastinating its troop withdrawal. The conflict between Israel and Lebanon is happening at the same time that parties are trying to foster a fledgling ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Hamas released 4 Israeli hostages on Saturday, and has said more are scheduled to be released later this week.
