US and France Push for 21-Day Ceasefire Between Israel and Hezbollah
The United States and France are at the forefront of pushing for a 21-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah. This plan is to cease the battle along the Israel-Lebanon border and avoid escalation of war in the Middle East.
The plan is just as international leaders, including the US, have for a long time been to negotiate a truce in Gaza and the release of kidnapped hostages by Hamas. These efforts have not been successful so far.
On Wednesday the US and several allies came out in support of this new ceasefire plan. President Biden noted the US, Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar as supporting the plan.
The main goals of the ceasefire are:
1. To minimize the conflict in the region
2. For people, who live near the border, to be able to return to their houses
3. To allow expression of opinions on ceasing the hostilities in Gaza
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken did a lot to ensure there was support for this plan. He was able to meet many heads of state during the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
On this plan, the US informed both Israel as well as Hezbollah but the announcement was made later to the public. US officials have yet to receive acceptance from the two parties, but they expect that they will accept the deal.
If it is successful, this ceasefire could trigger some negotiations to put an end to the war in Gaza and to free the other hostages that Hamas is holding. Washington’s thinking is that if the Lebanese Hezbollah lays down its arms it can put pressure on Hamas to do the same.
This is so because the Israeli military is setting up a ground invasion in Lebanon. This could lead to a wider war in the Middle East.
President Biden insisted on containing the war. He said, “It is essential this war does not expand.”
Some diplomats are, however, worried that both sides might not hold to the ceasefire even if they agreed on the plan, though the US is positive towards the plan.
The next actions are going to be attempts to lure Israel and Lebanon into accepting the ceasefire plan.
