Israel and Lebanon agree to 45-day ceasefire extension, US state department says

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"The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress," State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott said.

The two sides will resume negotiations on June 2 and 3 after a third round of meetings since fighting escalated in March.

Israel intensified air attacks on Lebanon after Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel on March 2, three days into the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Israel had widened its ground invasion into Lebanon's south last month.

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Israel’s war in Lebanon, fought in parallel with the US-Iran conflict, has rumbled on since President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire on April 16.

Israel has intensified air and artillery strikes in recent days, especially in southern Lebanon, saying it is targeting Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure.

Lebanon’s health ministry has accused Israel of targeting civilians and paramedics, which Israel denies, and said air strikes on Wednesday killed 22 people, including eight children.

It comes after an Israeli military spokesman issued an urgent evacuation warning for residents in the Lebanese city of Tyre, accusing the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah of breaching the ceasefire

The IDF marked part of the city in red and told those in the area to leave immediately and stay at least 300 metres away.