Hezbollah-Israel Conflict: France, US Seek 21-day Ceasefire In Lebanon

The US and France have called for a 21-day temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah to make way for broader negotiations, as the UN secretary general, António Guterres, told a UN security council meeting that “hell is breaking loose” in Lebanon.

The joint statement issued by US President Joe Biden and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron said: “It is time for a settlement on the Israel-Lebanon border that ensures safety and security to enable civilians to return to their homes.

“The exchange of fire since October 7th, and in particular over the past two weeks, threatens a much broader conflict, and harm to civilians.”

The two leaders, who met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, said they had worked on a temporary ceasefire “to give diplomacy a chance to succeed and avoid further escalations across the border”.

They urged Israel and Lebanon to back the move, which was also endorsed by the UK, Australia, Canada, the European Union, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

A Senior US administration official said on Wednesday night that both Israel and Lebanon, which was understood to be representing Hezbollah in the negotiations, were expected to respond to the call “in the coming hours”.

Israeli Strike Kills 23 Syrians In Younine

At least 23 people, all of them Syrian and mostly women or children, have been killed in an Israeli strike on a three-storey building in the Lebanese town of Younine late on Wednesday.

The Mayor of Younine, Ali Qusas told Reuters that another eight people were wounded in the incident.

The UN estimates there are about 750,000 Syrian refugees inside Lebanon. Israel claimed overnight it struck “approximately 75” Hezbollah targets inside Lebanon. – With The Guardian