Israel and Lebanon extend ceasefire by 45 days

The US State Department will hold negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent political agreement on the 2 and 3 June. 

Beforehand, the Pentagon is to bring together military delegations from the countries concerned on 29 May. 

Lebanon and Israel on Friday agreed to extend their ceasefire by 45 days, even as a fresh escalation of violence erupted, the US State Department said following mediated talks, reports euronews.com. 

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

He added that the State Department will hold negotiations on 2 and 3 June aimed at reaching a lasting political agreement, while the Pentagon will convene military delegations from both countries on 29 May.

"We hope these discussions will advance lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border," Pigott said.

The ceasefire, which had already been extended once, was due to expire on Sunday.

The United States, Israel and Lebanon still consider the truce to be in effect despite ongoing violence, with Israel carrying out further strikes in Lebanon during the talks.Israel says it will continue targeting Hezbollah, the Shia group whose attacks into Israel in solidarity with Iran triggered the cross-border conflict and which is not taking part in the talks in Washington. 

The Israeli military said on Thursday it "respects freedom of religion and worship, as well as holy sites and religious symbols of all religions and communities." 

The Israeli military said on Thursday it would investigate after a soldier was photographed placing a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon.

An image appearing to show an Israeli soldier with his arm around the revered Christian figure and holding a cigarette up to her mouth was widely shared on social media on Wednesday.

When asked for its response to the image, the Israeli military said it "views the incident with utmost severity and emphasizes that the conduct of the soldier completely deviates from the values expected of its personnel."

"The incident will be investigated and command measures will be taken against the soldier in accordance with the findings," it added.

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