At least 12 countries, including the European Union, have called for a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon, following an escalation of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, reports the BBC.
The bloc proposed an immediate 21-day pause in fighting “to provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement” and a ceasefire in Gaza.
In a joint statement, they said the hostilities were “intolerable” and presented an “unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation” that was neither in the interest of the people of Israel or Lebanon.
It comes after Israel’s military chief told troops on Wednesday that extensive air strikes in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah could pave the way for them to “enter enemy territory”.
The joint statement was signed by the US, Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Qatar.
It followed a meeting of world leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York.
A separate joint statement by US President Biden and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron said it was time for a settlement “that ensures safety and security to enable civilians to return to their homes”.
The current hostilities threaten “a much broader conflict, and harm to civilians”, they said.
“We therefore have worked together in recent days on a joint call for a temporary ceasefire to give diplomacy a chance to succeed and avoid further escalations across the border.”
President Biden briefly spoke to reporters at the White House on Wednesday evening, saying there was “significant support from Europe as well as the Arab nations … it’s important the war does not widen”.
A senior administration official told the BBC neither Israel nor Lebanon had accepted the proposal – although the US was in touch with both governments. Official responses are expected within hours.
The official said a 21-day pause in fighting would be a “sustained phase” that would allow for further negotiations to take place to reach a “complicated agreement”.
Earlier in New York, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged an immediate ceasefire, and said “hell is breaking loose”.
sa/mud
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