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U.S. backed Lebanese-Israeli cease-fire deal extended to mid-February

Israeli soldiers in a display of various sized rocket launchers that is part of the enormous display of captured Hezbollah armaments on display in an Israeli army base not far from the border with Southern Lebanon on December 24. Photo by Jim Hollander/UPI
1 of 3 | Israeli soldiers in a display of various sized rocket launchers that is part of the enormous display of captured Hezbollah armaments on display in an Israeli army base not far from the border with Southern Lebanon on December 24. Photo by Jim Hollander/UPI | License Photo

Jan. 26 (UPI) -- A U.S. backed cease-fire agreement between Lebanon and Israel will remain in effect until the middle of next month, the White House announced Sunday.

"The arrangement between Lebanon and Israel, monitored by the United States, will continue to be in effect until Feb. 18, 2025," the White House said in a statement.

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The statement also said that the governments of Lebanon, Israel, and the United States will also begin negotiations for the return of Lebanese prisoners captured after the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

The White House announcement came amid yet more bloodshed in the region. Israeli forces killed 22 people in south Lebanon on Sunday as a deadline for their withdrawal passed and thousands of people tried to return to their homes, which violated Israeli military orders, Lebanese authorities claimed.

Lebanon has accused the Israeli military of procrastinating its troop withdrawal. The conflict between Israel and Lebanon is happening at the same time that parties are trying to foster a fledgling ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Hamas released four Israeli hostages on Saturday, and has said more are scheduled to be released later this week.

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