France and the United States are on the verge of proposing a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah that aims to pave the way for negotiations. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that they have made significant progress on a 21-day ceasefire proposal and are urging both parties to accept it promptly to protect civilians and kickstart diplomatic talks.
The potential ceasefire comes as tensions between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group continue to escalate, raising concerns about a full-fledged war in the Middle East. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that they are working with partners to deescalate the situation in Lebanon and secure a ceasefire agreement that would bring benefits to all involved. The US hopes that the ceasefire could ultimately lead to long-term stability in the region.
An unnamed Israeli official indicated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is open to the proposed deal, but emphasizes the importance of including the return of Israeli civilians to their homes. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has expressed support for the French-US plan and called on the Security Council to ensure Israel’s withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territories.
As tensions in the region continue to rise, the international community is closely watching the developments and hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The proposed ceasefire could be a crucial step towards achieving stability and preventing further escalation of the situation.
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