May 15, 2026, 9:46 p.mMay 15, 2026, 9:46 p.m
According to US information, the current ceasefire between the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and Israel is to be extended by 45 days. This was announced by US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott on the X platform. Hezbollah did not initially comment. The ceasefire had been violated several times by both sides in recent weeks.
Pigott also announced another round of talks between representatives of both sides, mediated by the ministry, on June 2nd and 3rd. Before that, a military dialogue between delegations from both countries should take place in the Pentagon on May 29th. He hoped the talks would promote lasting peace between both countries, full recognition of sovereignty and security along their borders.
The extension of the ceasefire was announced this Friday after a third round of talks between Israeli and Lebanese government representatives in Washington. A previous deadline would have expired on Sunday (May 17th).
Fragile ceasefire so far
Lebanon and Israel agreed to a ceasefire for the first time in mid-April. However, mutual shelling between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah continued from both sides. There are still deaths every day in Lebanon. The Israeli military continues to station troops in southern Lebanon. There are still direct battles with Hezbollah there.
May 12 explosions in Lebanon.Image: keystone
The Israeli military also attacks from the air every day, particularly in southern Lebanon. Most recently, the Israeli Air Force attacked again in a suburb of the capital Beirut and, according to its own statements, killed the commander of the Hezbollah elite unit Radwan.
According to the original agreement, the Lebanese government would use international assistance to prevent Hezbollah from carrying out attacks against Israeli targets from Lebanon. Although Israel should refrain from “offensive military operations” in Lebanon, it is allowed to defend itself against planned, imminent or ongoing attacks.
So far, around 2,900 people have been killed in Lebanon since the renewed war broke out at the beginning of March. These include numerous women and almost 200 children.
Conversations in Washington
Since mid-April, Lebanon and Israel have been holding direct talks at the political level for the first time in decades. They are mediated by the USA in Washington. Israel is striving for a long-term peace process with Lebanon. Above all, it wants to achieve the permanent disarmament of Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran.
The Lebanese government, which is not an active party to the war, is primarily insisting on de-escalation and a permanent ceasefire. The Lebanese government has repeatedly ruled out normalizing relations under the current conditions. US President Donald Trump is also seeking a high-level meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun. Lebanon has so far rejected this.
Hezbollah sees the talks with Israel as a surrender. She calls for a stop to Israel’s attacks and also for the complete withdrawal of troops from southern Lebanon. She never herself agreed to the currently agreed ceasefire.
Shiite community in Lebanon supports Hezbollah
The Lebanese government is under pressure to implement the disarmament of Hezbollah demanded by Israel. After a previous war in autumn 2024, it had already committed itself to pushing this forward. The process progressed slowly. The government itself has to perform a balancing act: the Shiite community in the country in particular continues to support the pro-Iranian Hezbollah and also supports its possession of weapons. The Lebanese government was also concerned with the slow approach not to trigger internal unrest.
Meanwhile, Israel accuses the Lebanese government and army of not taking sufficient action against the militia.
According to observers, the constant Israeli attacks despite the ceasefire are also making the process more difficult. Hezbollah and its supporters see this as a legitimation for their existence – as the only true “resistance force” for the population in the areas it controls.
Lebanon’s army is considered weak
With its actions in Lebanon, Israel says it wants to protect the population in the north of the country from attacks by Hezbollah. The country also accuses the militia of planning to enter Israel and kill and kidnap people there, similar to what Hamas did on October 7, 2023.
In the course of disarmament, the Lebanese army should actually take control of these areas and the task of disarmament. However, the army is considered weak and underfunded compared to Hezbollah. Hezbollah sees this as further proof that only it can protect the people of Lebanon from Israel’s attacks.
Germany is betting that the Lebanese government should take action against the militia. “It is our conviction that the key to stabilizing Lebanon lies in strengthening the Lebanese state,” said Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul recently. This is the only way he can really fulfill his monopoly on violence. (sda/dpa)