Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that his government had not responded to a proposal by the United States and its allies calling for a 21-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office, the proposal, which originated from the United States and France, had not been addressed by the Israeli Prime Minister, who had instructed the army to "continue the fighting with full force." The joint call for a ceasefire was made by the United States, the European Union, and several Arab states, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, following a series of Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah that resulted in hundreds of deaths and displaced tens of thousands in Lebanon.
The situation in Lebanon has become "intolerable" and does not benefit either the people of Israel or Lebanon, stated a joint announcement from U.S. President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, and other allies. The leaders urged for an immediate 21-day ceasefire along the Lebanon-Israel border to provide space for diplomatic efforts toward a peaceful resolution.
This call for a ceasefire was issued as world leaders gathered on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Concurrently, Israeli army chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi informed soldiers to be prepared for a potential ground offensive against Hezbollah.
The recent escalation saw Israeli aerial bombardments targeting Hezbollah strongholds across Lebanon, resulting in significant casualties. In response, Hezbollah launched rocket barrages and claimed that a ballistic missile targeted Tel Aviv.
This summary maintains key details, ensuring readers are informed of significant diplomatic and military developments in the region. (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Original Story https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/benjamin-netanyahu-says-he-has-not-responded-to-us-backed-lebanon-ceasefire-proposal-as-israel-strikes-hezbollah-6654102
Category :
Tags:
