Allies which include the US, UK and EU have demanded a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon as the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalates.
The 21-day ceasefire is designed to “provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement.”
In a joint statement signed by the US, Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Qatar following a meeting of world leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York, they said the hostilities were “intolerable” and portended “unacceptable risk for broader regional escalation”.
US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron in a separate statement said the pause becomes necessary to ensure safe return of civilians to their homes.
The presidents noted that the conflict constitutes huge threat and harm to civilians, adding it is neither in the interest of the people of Israel or Lebanon.
“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.”
Speaking to journalists in the White House on Wednesday’s evening, Biden acknowledged support from Europe as well as Arab nations, stressing that the war should not widen.
What do you need to know ?
Since Monday, when Israel launched a heavy air assault to demolish what it claimed was Hezbollah infrastructure since their previous battle in 2006, more than 600 deaths have been reported throughout Lebanon.
According to the UN, 110,000 people had already left their homes in Lebanon prior to the escalation, and another 90,000 have already been forcibly displaced. Around 40,000 people are residing in shelters around the nation.
Around 70,000 people have been displaced in northern Israel as a result of nearly a year of deadly cross-border warfare that the Gaza War precipitated; the Israeli government and military claim they want to guarantee their safe return.
