France and the United States are on the brink of presenting a proposal for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah to allow for negotiations to begin. French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot informed the UN Security Council about the progress made on the 21-day ceasefire proposal and urged both parties to accept it promptly to protect civilian populations and kickstart diplomatic talks. The potential ceasefire comes amidst escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah that could potentially lead to a full-fledged war in the Middle East.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed the US’s commitment to deescalating tensions in Lebanon and working towards a ceasefire agreement that would benefit all parties involved. The US hopes that a ceasefire would pave the way for long-term stability in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly shown openness to the potential deal, but with the condition that it includes the return of Israeli civilians to their homes. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has thrown support behind the French-US plan and called on the Security Council to ensure Israel’s withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territories and to address daily violations.
The proposed ceasefire is seen as a crucial step towards preventing further violence and reaching a diplomatic resolution between Israel and Hezbollah. As both France and the United States work towards finalizing the details of the ceasefire agreement, the international community is closely monitoring the developments in the region.
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