After intense discussions at the United Nations on Wednesday, September 25, the United States, France, and other countries jointly urged Israel and Lebanon to immediately cease fire for 21 days. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has led to an escalating death toll.
According to a joint statement released by the White House, countries expressed that the situation between Lebanon and Israel since October 8, 2023, has been intolerable and poses an unacceptable risk of wide-ranging regional escalation.
“This is not in the interest of anyone, be it the people of Israel or Lebanon. A diplomatic solution should be reached now to ensure that civilians on both sides of the border can safely return home,” the statement read. “However, diplomatic means cannot succeed in the midst of escalating conflict.”
“Therefore, we call for an immediate ceasefire for 21 days on the Israel-Lebanon border to provide diplomatic space for a solution based on the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and to implement Resolution 2735 regarding a ceasefire in Gaza,” the statement continued.
The joint statement was signed by the United States, Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Qatar.
According to a statement from the Lebanese Ministry of Health, Israel expanded its airstrikes on Lebanon on Wednesday, resulting in at least 72 fatalities. The Lebanese Ministry of Health had earlier reported at least 223 people injured.
Israeli military officials indicated the possibility of a ground offensive in the near future, raising concerns of continued escalation of conflict in the Middle East.
A senior White House official informed Reuters that Washington has been in contact with officials from Israel and Lebanon in recent months, aiming to mitigate hostilities.
“We have been in discussions for some time,” the official said.
He added that Washington and its allies hope to translate these discussions into broader agreements during the 21-day ceasefire period.
The official mentioned that President Biden has been focusing on the possibility of brokering a ceasefire agreement in almost every conversation with world leaders, including during this week’s UN General Assembly.
Based on discussions with Israel and Lebanon, the United States and its allied countries believe that now is the appropriate time to call for a ceasefire.
Before the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told reporters that Israel is in favor of a ceasefire and leans towards a diplomatic solution. However, he later informed the council that Iran is the central source of violence in the region, and key to peace is eliminating this threat.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told reporters before the Security Council meeting that Iran supports Hezbollah and that Iran will not stand idly by if the conflict in Lebanon escalates.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged the Security Council to exert pressure on Israel to cease fire immediately.
When asked if a ceasefire is likely to be achieved soon, Mikati told Reuters reporters, “We hope so.”
With the rising death toll in Lebanon and thousands fleeing their homes, world leaders express concerns over the rapid escalation of conflict in the Middle East.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to arrive in New York on Thursday and deliver a speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
For nearly a year, the US government has been seeking a ceasefire in Gaza, with no conclusive results.
Earlier on Wednesday, Israel shot down a missile, which Hezbollah claimed was targeting the headquarters of the Mossad intelligence agency near Tel Aviv, Israel’s largest city.
Israeli officials stated that a heavy missile was headed towards a civilian area in Tel Aviv before being intercepted, rather than towards the Mossad headquarters.
This week, Israel has conducted airstrikes on hundreds of locations in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah leaders, but also leading to tens of thousands of people fleeing the border areas. The bombing on Monday resulted in over 550 fatalities, marking the deadliest day of violence in Lebanon since the end of the civil war in 1990.