Lebanese army vehicles drive past destroyed buildings in the southern Lebanese village of Yarin on January 26, 2025. Agence France-Presse
WASHINGTON — The White House said Sunday that a deal between Lebanon and Israel had been extended until February 18, as Israel missed a previous deadline to pull troops.
“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 brief statement.
Article continues after this advertisementDonald Trump’s White House also said that the United States would negotiate with Israel and Lebanon for the return of Lebanese prisoners captured since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which brought parallel fighting, at first on a small scale, between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION 24 Filipinos in US deported for crimes GLOBALNATION Flights for US-bound Afghan refugees suspended GLOBALNATION BI nabs Chinese over canceled visaREAD: Ceasefire begins in Israel-Hezbollah war
The statement did not explicitly mention a ceasefire, which has been increasingly in doubt as Israeli forces killed 22 people on Sunday, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
Article continues after this advertisementThe White House also did not make any reference to France, which worked alongside the United States under former president Joe Biden to reach the ceasefire on November 27.
Article continues after this advertisementThe deal ended Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon against Iranian-backed Hezbollah. Under the 60-day deal, the Lebanese army was to deploy alongside UN peacekeepers in the south as the Israeli army withdrew.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Tens of thousands return to Lebanon as Israel-Hezbollah truce begins
Israel made clear in recent days it had no intention to meet the deadline, saying Lebanon’s fledgling army had not fulfilled its side of the deal.
Article continues after this advertisementOn Sunday, Israeli forces opened fire and killed 22 people, including six women, as they returned to their villages, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
free slots with bonus and free spinsThe Israeli military said it targeted suspects who posed an “imminent threat” to its troops.
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went up by 0.22 percent to 7,326.41 while All Shares also rose 0.24 percent to 4,024.72.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
