The United States along with its allies called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. This call comes in response to the increase of hostilities that have already claimed more than 600 lives and displaced nearly half a million people in Lebanon over recent days.
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The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has led to casualties and destruction with over 600 deaths in Lebanon and nearly 500,000 displaced from their homes.
The hostilities have been centered around the Lebanon-Israel border, where Hezbollah has exchanged fire with Israeli forces. In response to Hezbollah’s attacks, Israel has launched airstrikes targeting key Hezbollah installations in Lebanon.
On Wednesday, the US, France and several allied nations including Germany, the UK, Canada, Australia, and the EU, issued a joint statement during the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
This ceasefire initiative was headed by the US, with President Joe Biden’s national security team playing the main role in garnering international support.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken alongside National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan led meetings with various world leaders during the UN General Assembly, culminating in the joint proposal.
The proposal received backing from Arab states such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar with diplomatic outreach extending to the Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers.
Israel’s acting Prime Minister, Israel Katz, expressed a more hawkish stance, vowing to continue the military campaign against Hezbollah with full force until victory.
Israel’s Foreign Minister also addressed that while the country is open to diplomacy, any ceasefire must guarantee the safe return of Israeli citizens to their homes along the northern border.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati voiced his support for the ceasefire during a UN Security Council meeting.
Israel’s response to the proposed ceasefire was swift. Prime Minister Netanyahu instructed the Israeli Defense Forces to continue their military operations with full force particularly in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah is heavily entrenched.
Netanyahu’s office said that there will be no moderation in the attacks, despite international calls for a temporary truce. Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz echoed the Prime Minister’s stance, stating on social media, “There will be no ceasefire in the north. We will continue to fight Hezbollah with full force until victory and the safe return of the northern residents to their homes.”
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, speaking at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council called for immediate international intervention to halt the fighting.
Mikati accused Israel of spreading terror and fear among Lebanese civilians through its aerial bombardment and ground invasion threats. He called for a cessation of the Israeli offensive and respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty.
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Mikati expressed hope that the UN and the international community would take a firm stance against Israel’s actions, which have left many Lebanese civilians in fear for their lives.
His plea, contrasts with the reality of military operations, as Israel continues to launch strikes on Hezbollah positions within Lebanon.
The US, UK and European Union have joined forces to call for a temporary halt in the fighting, proposing a 21-day ceasefire to facilitate diplomatic discussions. This coalition was known as the 12-strong bloc includes major global powers such as Germany, Italy, Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar.
Israel’s military has intensified its operations against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. These operations include airstrikes on key Hezbollah positions including weapons depots, rocket launchers and command centers.
The IDF has confirmed hitting over 75 Hezbollah targets in recent strikes focusing on the Beqaa Valley and southern Lebanon.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed the call for an immediate ceasefire, warning that “hell is breaking loose” in Lebanon and calling for a halt to all hostilities.
European nations such as France, Germany and Italy, have rallied behind the ceasefire, seeking to prevent regional war. French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Joe Biden are leading the diplomatic push with Macron stating that “war is not unavoidable.”
Both Israel and Lebanon reaffirmed their commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which was passed in 2006 to end the previous Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
The resolution called for the cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and the deployment of Lebanese forces and UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.
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