Ankara: Israel has set a two-week deadline for reaching an agreement with Lebanon during their US-mediated negotiations, warning of renewed military escalation if talks fail, according to Israeli media on Wednesday. The public broadcaster KAN said Tel Aviv has established a 'limited timeframe' for the talks, not exceeding two weeks, in a bid to secure what it described as a 'real agreement' between the two sides. The outlet said Israel has linked the current ceasefire arrangement - extended until mid-May - to reaching a substantive deal with Lebanon within that period.

According to Anadolu Agency, Israeli assessments indicate that failure to achieve tangible progress within this timeframe could lead to a resumption of fighting and the launch of intensified military operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. KAN said the US administration is leading efforts to arrange a direct meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun within the two-week period, despite significant doubts among the parties about the possibility of holding such a high-level summit.

Trump first announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon on April 17, before saying Thursday it would be extended by three weeks. According to official Lebanese figures, Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed at least 2,534 people, wounded 7,863 others, and displaced more than 1.6 million people.