United States and its allies suggest a 21-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah

The U.S., the European Union, and almost a dozen other countries have jointly called for an immediate 21-day cease-fire to allow for negotiations between Israel and Hezbollah. The conflict between the two sides has escalated, with Israeli strikes killing hundreds and displacing thousands in Lebanon. The proposal is aimed at ending the violence and jump-starting stalled peace talks between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been engaging in shuttle diplomacy to secure support for the cease-fire plan. Both Israel and Hezbollah have not confirmed their responses to the proposal, but Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. has expressed support for a diplomatic solution. President Biden has warned of the possibility of all-out war but also sees the opportunity for a settlement that could change the entire region. The situation has worsened recently with Hezbollah blamed for deadly explosions followed by Israeli airstrikes. The U.S. is not providing intelligence support to Israel for its operations in Lebanon and has stressed the need for a diplomatic resolution to prevent a broader regional escalation. The proposal for a cease-fire aims to end the violence and allow civilians on both sides to return to their homes safely. However, there are concerns that if diplomacy fails, other means might be necessary to bring about a resolution.

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