A coalition of 12 countries, including the US, UK, and EU, has called for a temporary 21-day ceasefire along the Lebanon-Israel border to mitigate the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The proposed ceasefire aims to create a window for diplomatic negotiations and reduce the risk of a broader regional conflict, which the coalition described as an “unacceptable risk” for both nations.
The joint statement, signed by countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, came after Israel’s military chief hinted at a potential ground invasion into Lebanon following extensive airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions. The coalition urged both parties to cease hostilities, warning that the conflict poses a significant threat to regional stability.
US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron also issued a separate statement, calling for a settlement that would allow civilians to return to their homes and prevent further escalations. President Biden emphasized the broad support for a ceasefire from both European and Arab nations, stressing the importance of preventing the war from widening.
While official responses from Israel and Lebanon are still pending, the US has engaged in talks with the Lebanese government, rather than Hezbollah, to negotiate the ceasefire. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati have called for an immediate halt to the fighting. Mikati condemned Israel’s actions as a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and expressed hope for a resolution at the UN General Assembly in New York.
The conflict has already resulted in over 600 deaths in Lebanon since Monday, with more than 90,000 people displaced, adding to the 110,000 who had already fled. In northern Israel, nearly 70,000 people have also been displaced due to cross-border hostilities.
Hezbollah, which has launched attacks on Israel in support of Hamas, has vowed to continue fighting until a ceasefire is reached in Gaza. The group recently targeted Israel’s Mossad headquarters with a missile and fired dozens of rockets into northern Israel, resulting in injuries but no fatalities. In response, Israel conducted a series of airstrikes, reportedly decimating Hezbollah’s Radwan Force and killing top military leader Ibrahim Aqil.
As the situation remains volatile, the international community is urging both sides to agree to the proposed ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and displacement.