Official announcements or reports from involved parties

U.S. Extends Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire to Feb 18, Begins Urgent Talks on Prisoner Return

Jan 26, 2025, 09:58 PM

The White House announced that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon has been extended until February 18, 2025, a 22-day extension. U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes stated that "a short, temporary ceasefire extension is urgently needed" to ensure Israeli citizens can safely return to their homes in northern Israel and to prevent Hezbollah from threatening the Lebanese people or its neighbors. The Trump administration is set to begin negotiations with Israel and Lebanon for the return of Lebanese prisoners captured after October 7, 2023. The U.S. expressed satisfaction with the Israeli military's withdrawal from central regions of Lebanon and will work with regional partners to secure the ceasefire.