The United States and other allies, including nations in Europe and the Middle East, called for a 21-day ceasefire on the border between Israel and Lebanon on Wednesday. Israel and Hamas think that by doing this, they might prevent a regional conflict and restart their long-stalled negotiations over hostages.
During the lethal confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah, a senior US official referred to the ceasefire agreement as a "significant advancement." Many fear that the violence will worsen and develop into a more widespread conflict in the area.
Diplomats and international leaders have been working hard for the past 48 hours to finish the plan at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The intended cease-fire aims to halt the fighting long enough for diplomacy to intervene.
Although Israel and Hezbollah have not yet accepted the conditions, US officials expressed hope that all parties are "acquainted" with the general outline of the plan. It is thought that the time is right to make the announcement in public.
In a joint statement, the supporting states referred to the conditions in Israel and Lebanon as "intolerable" and emphasized the risk of a wider regional escalation that would be detrimental to the populations of both countries.
President Joe Biden claims that several nations have shown significant support for the ceasefire idea. Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar are some of these nations.
Biden stressed how critical it is to stop the issue from getting worse. "It's crucial that this conflict is kept under control," he stated at a press conference.
The immediate goals of the truce are to defuse tensions and allow those living along the Israel-Lebanon border to return to their homes. People who have been affected by the continuous violence on both sides of the border are included in this.
Along with securing the return of Israeli captives held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, US officials expect that the ceasefire will open up "diplomatic space" for talks aimed at settling the larger conflict in Gaza.
One senior US official said the ceasefire proposal was the result of “an all-out effort” by the Biden administration to prevent the situation from spiraling into a larger regional war.
In an effort to iron out the details of a planned ceasefire that would stop Israel's and Hezbollah's hostilities, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been actively involved in the diplomatic process, traveling to allies in Europe and the Arab world.
President Biden has been discussing the escalating tensions in the Middle East with a number of foreign leaders at the UN General Assembly. After conferring with French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday, he concluded the ceasefire agreement.
US officials confirmed that Blinken spearheaded behind-the-scenes diplomacy during the UN meetings. He first introduced the idea to his G7 counterparts on Monday, though he withheld specific details of the plan at that time.
A senior US official said that the ceasefire proposal was worked out with both Israel and Hezbollah prior it being made public. The plan was also presented to Najib Mikati, the prime minister of Lebanon, who assisted in mediating it.
During a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meeting, Blinken met with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Qatar to ask for their support on the ceasefire plan. The plan was approved by Saudi Arabia and Qatar alike.
To win their support for the framework, US Deputy Chief of Staff Tom Sullivan also had talks with the heads of the political parties in France, Germany, Italy, and the UK.
Although US officials were optimistic about the truce, some diplomats voiced concerns about both sides' commitment to upholding the terms of the accord.
The suggestion for a ceasefire comes after months of deadlocked talks about the situation in Gaza and attempts to secure the release of Israeli detainees. The US hopes that the ceasefire in Lebanon will facilitate the resumption of such negotiations.
A US official involved in the negotiations said, “It buys some time and space to try to pursue an arrangement in Gaza … and the hostage deal we’ve been discussing.”
The official added that if Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar recognizes that there will be no broader regional conflict, he may be more inclined to negotiate a deal that includes the release of hostages and calm in Gaza.
Jean-Noel Barrot, the French Foreign Minister, reaffirmed France's cooperation with the United States in achieving the 21-day truce. Barrot also mentioned that he would be visiting Beirut to collaborate on the proposal with regional players.
A source involved with the talks claims that US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and top Israeli official Ron Dermer spoke over the phone on Monday, which gave the mediation efforts for the truce more impetus.
The Israeli military is reportedly getting ready for a possible ground invasion into Lebanon, according to Israel's top general, underscoring the urgency of the diplomatic efforts as the US presses for a truce.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, has authorized his administration to cooperate with US efforts to mediate a truce. Netanyahu consented as long as the agreement permits Israeli citizens to travel home without incident.
Hezbollah has previously indicated that it would stop its rocket fire only when there is a ceasefire in Gaza. In contrast, Israel has treated its conflicts with Hezbollah and Hamas as separate issues.
According to the White House, a ceasefire in Gaza would lead to much more, such as a larger agreement with Hezbollah that would permit civilians to return home on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border.
Before turning their attention back to efforts to restore the ceasefire in Gaza, American and foreign officials are prioritizing efforts to defuse the situation in Lebanon due to concerns of escalation.
Though earlier hopes for a cease-fire in Gaza were raised, US officials admitted that negotiations have broken down several times in recent months because of political differences between Israel and Hamas.
President Biden alluded to the ongoing ceasefire negotiations while appearing on ABC's "The View," expressing optimism that a truce in Lebanon would spark other regional peace initiatives.
In order to accomplish a ceasefire, Biden stated that there is a "possibility" and that "every bit of energy" will be used. If the ceasefire holds, he underlined, there might be a seismic shift in the Middle East.
