Middle East updates: Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended to Feb. 18

Newly confirmed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had an introductory call on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a statement from a U.S. senior defense official.

"Both leaders discussed the importance of advancing mutual security interests and priorities, especially in the face of persistent threats," according to the statement.

Hegseth, who won Senate confirmation after being selected by President Donald Trump for the role, stressed to Netanyahu that the U.S. is "fully committed" to ensuring that Israel "has the capabilities it needs to defend itself," according to the statement.

Additionally, the defense official said that "both leaders agreed to remain in close contact."

The White House announced Sunday that the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended until Feb.18.

Lebanon, Israel and the U.S. will also begin negotiations for the return of Lebanese prisoners captured after Oct. 7, 2023.

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie

Hamas will free Israeli hostage Arbel Yehuda, a civilian, and two other hostages before next Friday, the Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a post Sunday on X.

Hamas will then hand over three other hostages next Saturday “in accordance with the agreement,” the Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

In exchange, Israeli authorities will allow displaced people in the Gaza Strip to return to “northern areas” of Gaza Monday morning, the Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the updated agreement, stating Yehuda, an Israeli soldier Agam Berger, and another unnamed hostage will be released Thursday, a statement from Netanyahu’s office said.

“Israel received from Hamas a list containing the status of all the hostages who are to be released in Phase A,” Netanyahu’s office said in the statement.

-ABC News' Ayat Al-Tawy, Nasser Atta and Anna Burd

The death toll from attacks Sunday by the Israel Defense Forces in southern Lebanon has climbed to 22, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry, as Lebanese civilians attempted to return to their homes.

At least 124 people have been injured in the attacks, including nine children, the health ministry said.

Sunday was supposed to be the last day of a ceasefire deal that saw the IDF completely withdraw from Lebanon, but the IDF remains in several areas in the south.

-ABC News' Victoria Beaule