The United States, its allies in Europe and several Arab nations on Wednesday unveiled a joint cease-fire proposal to temporarily end the recent deadly fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, hoping to avert a wider war and bolster stalled negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
“It is time for a settlement on the Israel-Lebanon border that ensures safety and security to enable civilians to return to their homes,” President Biden said in a joint statement on Wednesday evening with President Emmanuel Macron of France. “The exchange of fire since Oct. 7, and in particular over the past two weeks, threatens a much broader conflict, and harm to civilians.”
Officials said there were indications that Israel and Lebanon were supportive of talks that might soon lead to a cease-fire, and Mr. Biden and Mr. Macron called for “immediate support” for the proposal by the two governments.
The proposal was endorsed by Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. In a statement, all of the signatories called for “an immediate 21-day cease-fire across the Lebanon-Israel border” to provide space for further negotiations.
Mr. Biden, arriving back in Washington from the United Nations General Assembly in New York, told reporters that “we were able to generate significant support from Europe, as well as the Arab nations.” He added: “It’s important the war does not widen. I’ll have more to say tomorrow.”
Two American officials said late Wednesday that they hoped a three-week cease-fire would allow time for a permanent end to the fighting between the two countries. They hinted that Israel and Lebanon had been supportive of the rapid-fire discussions over the previous 48 hours and might agree to the proposal soon.
We are having trouble retrieving the article content.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.ubet95