Israel rejects US-French ceasefire proposal with Hezbollah

Israel has rejected a ceasefire proposal with Hezbollah in Lebanon. The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the ceasefire proposal presented by the United States and France has not yet received a response from the Prime Minister.

On Thursday, Netanyahu’s office stated, “This is a U.S.-French proposal that the Prime Minister has not yet responded to.”

Israel’s Foreign Minister, Yisrael Katz, also emphasized that there will be “no ceasefire in the north” and added, “We will continue to fight Hezbollah with full force until we achieve victory and safely return the residents of the north to their homes.”

The statement calling for a ceasefire was signed by the United States, European Union, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.

In a joint statement, U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron announced their efforts toward a ceasefire and mentioned that ten other countries had endorsed the statement.

The joint statement from these countries said, “The situation between Lebanon and Israel since October 7, 2023, has become unbearable, and it carries the unacceptable risk of a broader escalation in the region. This situation benefits no one, neither the people of Israel nor the people of Lebanon.”

The 12 signatory countries added, “The time has come for a diplomatic agreement that allows civilians on both sides of the border to safely return to their homes.”

The statement further noted, “However, diplomacy cannot succeed amidst the ongoing escalation of this conflict. Therefore, we call for an immediate 21-day ceasefire along the Lebanon-Israel border to create space for diplomacy to achieve an agreement by UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the implementation of UNSC Resolution 2735 regarding the ceasefire in Gaza.”

The signatory countries concluded, “We urge all parties, including the governments of Israel and Lebanon, to immediately agree to the temporary ceasefire in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and give a genuine opportunity for diplomatic resolution.”

The statement also mentioned that after the ceasefire is established along the Lebanon-Israel border, “We are ready to support all diplomatic efforts to broker an agreement between Lebanon and Israel that would bring an end to this crisis once and for all.”

The call for a ceasefire reflects the urgency of reducing tensions to prevent a wider regional conflict. International efforts focus on creating a window for diplomacy, which could be crucial in stabilizing the region and ensuring the safety of civilians on both sides of the border.

A successful ceasefire could lay the foundation for a more lasting peace agreement, potentially bringing much-needed relief to those affected by the ongoing hostilities.

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