Lebanon seeks to extend Israel ceasefire, Aoun confirms contacts
President Joseph Aoun said Lebanon is actively working to extend the April 17 ceasefire with Israel, with upcoming negotiations focused on ending attacks, Israeli withdrawal, army deployment to international borders, detainee return, and reconstruction. Contacts follow historic Washington talks between ambassadors last week.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced on Wednesday that ongoing contacts are aimed at extending the 10-day ceasefire with Israel that took effect on April 17. Speaking before a parliamentary committee, Aoun said, “Contacts are ongoing to extend the ceasefire period,” adding that Lebanon will spare no effort to end its current abnormal situation. He stressed that preserving Lebanese sovereignty over all its territory remains the primary goal in all consultations.
Negotiation priorities
Aoun outlined the key objectives for upcoming negotiations: “ending Israeli attacks entirely, achieving Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, the return of detainees, deployment of the army up to international borders, and reconstructing what was destroyed during this war.” The Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors met in Washington on April 14 for their first direct talks in 43 years, agreeing to begin peace negotiations. According to Israeli Channel 15, a second round of talks is scheduled for Thursday in Washington.
Humanitarian toll
Since March 2, Israel’s offensive in Lebanon has killed approximately 2,300 people, wounded more than 7,500, and displaced over one million, according to official figures. The 10-day ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump on April 17.
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