An Israeli strike in southern Lebanon has killed six people, including three paramedics, according to the country’s health ministry, coming just hours after the United States announced a 45-day extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

The strike reportedly hit a civil defence centre in Harouf, leaving another paramedic critically injured, while the Israeli military had yet to comment at the time.

The development followed confirmation from the US State Department that both sides agreed in Washington DC to prolong the fragile truce, with spokesperson Tommy Pigott stating the move aims to advance lasting peace, mutual sovereignty recognition, and border security.

Negotiations are expected to resume in June, alongside a separate military-level engagement scheduled for May 29 at the Pentagon.

Despite the ceasefire first announced on April 16 by Donald Trump, hostilities have persisted, with Lebanon reporting 22 deaths from Israeli strikes on Wednesday alone, including eight children.

Israel maintains its operations target Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure as part of efforts to create a buffer zone in southern Lebanon, while Lebanese authorities accuse it of hitting civilians and emergency responders—claims Israel denies.

The conflict has displaced over one million people across Lebanon and caused widespread destruction, with the latest escalation beginning March 2 following a joint US-Israel operation against Iran.

Lebanon says at least 2,896 people have been killed since then, while Israeli figures report 18 soldiers and four civilians dead, as Hezbollah continues rocket and drone attacks into northern Israel and against Israeli forces in the south.