The United States, France, and several key allies, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union, issued a joint statement on Wednesday calling for an immediate 21-day ceasefire along the Israel-Lebanon border, known as the Blue Line. This move follows intense discussions at the United Nations and comes amid escalating violence in both Lebanon and Gaza.
The ceasefire is intended to halt hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group operating in Lebanon, while providing an opportunity for diplomatic negotiations to address the broader conflict. A senior official from the Biden administration stressed that Washington has been engaging with both Israeli and Lebanese officials for several months to de-escalate tensions.
The joint statement urged "all parties, including the governments of Israel and Lebanon, to endorse the temporary ceasefire immediately" as a step toward a potential diplomatic resolution. The U.S. President, Joe Biden, has been raising the possibility of a ceasefire in multiple conversations with global leaders during the United Nations General Assembly this week.
Despite international calls for peace, violence continues to escalate. Israel has intensified airstrikes in Lebanon, killing at least 72 people according to Lebanese health authorities, with fears of a ground assault growing. Israel’s military leadership hinted at such an operation, raising concerns that the conflict could expand further into the region. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has launched rockets into Israel, and Israeli forces have targeted Hezbollah strongholds, prompting massive displacement in Lebanon.
The death toll has also surged in Lebanon, with hospitals overwhelmed by casualties from Israeli strikes. On Wednesday, funerals were held for two senior Hezbollah commanders killed in Israeli air raids, as the mourning crowd echoed anti-Israel sentiments.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire proposal, noting that its success hinges on Israel’s commitment to international resolutions. Hezbollah’s backer, Iran, has also expressed its support for the group, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stating that Tehran would not stand idle if the conflict spiraled further out of control.
The ongoing hostilities are placing significant political pressure on President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 U.S. elections, as violence continues to rise in both Lebanon and Gaza. Biden has faced criticism for his administration's inability to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, and the conflict's expansion to Lebanon now compounds those challenges.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to address the U.N. General Assembly on Friday. Amid the ongoing conflict, he emphasized that Hezbollah is being hit harder than anticipated, while continuing efforts to secure Israel’s northern border and facilitate the return of displaced residents.