The United States and several allies on Wednesday called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire in the region. Growing battle Tensions have escalated between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
“The situation between Lebanon and Israel since October 8, 2023 is intolerable and presents an unacceptable risk of broader regional escalation,” one wrote. joint statement Issued by the US, Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Qatar.
“This is not in anyone's interest, neither the people of Israel nor the people of Lebanon,” the statement added.
“It is time now to reach a diplomatic settlement that will allow citizens on both sides of the border to return home safely.”
The United States and its allies argued that diplomacy “cannot succeed” amid the escalation of the conflict.
“We therefore call for an immediate 21-day ceasefire along the Lebanon-Israel border to allow space for diplomacy to reach a diplomatic solution,” the countries demanded.
The statement comes after several days of a massive bombing campaign in Lebanon that has killed more than 600 people, including many terrorists. Top Hezbollah commander,
The attacks are the deadliest against Lebanon in nearly two decades, and have raised concerns about the threat of terrorism in the country. all out war Tensions have escalated between Israel and its northern neighbor.
The Israeli and Lebanese governments did not immediately respond to the ceasefire call, according to news agency Xinhua. associated Press,
Nor did the Iran-backed terrorist group.
Senior US officials indicated that all sides were aware of the ceasefire call, the newspaper reported, and that Hezbollah would not be a signatory to the agreement but could accept its terms if reassured by the Lebanese government.
Officials said they expected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “welcome” the resolution when he addresses the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Thousands of people have already fled southern Lebanon and northern Israel amid missile exchanges that have been going on for nearly a year since Hamas' October 7, 2023 terror attack on the Jewish state.
Israeli officials had previously suggested there could be a ceasefire Provided Hezbollah agrees to stop firing first.
The militant group has said it will continue to launch attacks in solidarity with Hamas, while vowing to avenge last week's massive pager and walkie-talkie bombings that killed nearly 40 people and injured more than 3,000.
