US, France call for 21-day ceasefire across Israel-Lebanon border

The United States, France and some of their allies called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire across the Israel-Lebanon border while also expressing support for a ceasefire in Gaza, according to a joint statement released by the White House.

"The situation between Lebanon and Israel since October 8, 2023 is intolerable and presents an unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation," the joint statement said.

"Thus we call for an immediate 21-day ceasefire across the Lebanon-Israel border to provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement," it added. 

The statement came from the US, France, the European Union, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, among some other partner nations. It called on the governments of Israel and Lebanon to endorse the temporary ceasefire immediately.

Israel widened its airstrikes in Lebanon on Wednesday and at least 72 people were killed, according to a Reuters compilation of Lebanese health ministry statements. The ministry earlier said at least 223 were wounded.

Israel's military chief said a ground assault was possible, raising fears the conflict could spark a wider Middle East war.

Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon told reporters before the meeting that Israel would welcome a ceasefire and preferred a diplomatic solution. He then told the Security Council that Iran was the nexus of violence in the region and peace required dismantling the threat.

"We have had those discussions for quite some time," a senior US official later told reporters, adding Washington and its allies were aiming to convert those discussions into a broader agreement during this 21-day ceasefire period.

Opening up diplomatic space in Lebanon during this 21 day period will hopefully also open up space for potential for a ceasefire in Gaza which has remained elusive for months, the senior US official added.