The United States and its allies have called for a 21-day ceasefire along the Israel-Lebanon border, effective immediately. The proposed pause, which is backed by a group of 12 countries including Britain, the European Union and several Arab states, comes amid fierce fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Israeli air strikes in Lebanon since Monday have killed nearly 600 people and displaced about half a million people.
A joint statement issued by President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the need for security, and urged both Israel and Lebanon to agree to a temporary halt to hostilities. “The escalation of shelling since October 7, and particularly over the past two weeks, has posed a risk of widespread conflict and harm to civilians,” the leaders said. They said the proposed ceasefire would allow diplomatic efforts to succeed and “civilians to return to their homes.”
The call came after Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi hinted that extensive airstrikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon could lead to Israeli forces entering enemy territory. A joint statement by the US and its allies said the hostilities posed a risk of a wider regional “escalation” across the border.
Despite international pressure, an official response from the Israeli and Lebanese governments is still pending. According to a senior US official, talks are ongoing with Lebanon, which expects the government, not Hezbollah, to take the lead in dealing with non-state actors within its borders, the BBC reports.
Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also called for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and warned that “hell is breaking loose.”
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the airstrikes as a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty. He expressed hope for a solution that would pressure Israel to ceasefire. He said, “We are facing a gross violation of our sovereignty and human rights.”
In response, Israel’s UN envoy Danny Danon said Israel does not seek a full-scale war, but is committed to using “all means available to it” to protect its citizens in accordance with international law.
Meanwhile, cross-border attacks continue, with Hezbollah targeting Israeli military and intelligence installations.
Iran, Hezbollah’s main backer, condemned the Israeli airstrikes and warned that the Middle East was facing a “full-scale catastrophe.” Tehran also vowed to support Lebanon “in every way” if Israel escalated its military offensive.
