By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AA) - A "short, temporary ceasefire extension is urgently needed" between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah, the White House said Friday as a critical deadline for Israeli forces to withdraw from Lebanon rapidly approaches.
In a statement, National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said President Donald Trump is committed to ensuring Israeli citizens can safely return to their homes in northern Israel, and also supported Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and the new Lebanese government.
"All parties share the goal of ensuring Hezbollah does not have the ability to threaten the Lebanese people or their neighbors," said Hughes.
"To achieve these goals, a short, temporary ceasefire extension is urgently needed. We are pleased that the IDF has started the withdrawal from the central regions, and we continue to work closely with our regional partners to finalize the extension," he added.