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The US and the EU call for a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah

2024-09-26 08:54:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The United States and European Union allies have called for a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon, following the escalation of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

The 12-nation bloc called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire to "allow space for a diplomatic solution" and a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

In a joint communiqué, these countries said that the fighting is "intolerable" and that it poses an "unacceptable risk of a regional escalation", which is not in the interest of the people of Israel or Lebanon.

The request comes a day after the Israeli military said that bombing targets of Hezbollah - the militant group designated as a terrorist organization by the US - could pave the way for a ground offensive in Lebanon.

The joint statement was signed by the US, Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Great Britain and Qatar.

The US hopes the temporary ceasefire could lead to long-term stability along the border between Israel and Lebanon.

Tens of thousands of people have been forced from their homes as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalated last week, fueling fears of a wider Middle East war.

More than 600 people have been killed in Lebanon since Monday, when Israel began relentless bombing to destroy what it said was infrastructure built by Hezbollah since the last war between them in 2006.

About 90,000 people in Lebanon have been displaced this week alone, according to the UN. About 40,000 others live in shacks across the country.

US officials have said they intend to use the three-week ceasefire to restart stalled talks on a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, as well as the release of hostages.

Hamas is another group supported by Iran but declared a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel on a daily basis following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

Israel has responded with airstrikes and the conflict has escalated since then.

Hezbollah has said it will continue to carry out attacks on Israel until a ceasefire is reached in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas militants swept into southern Israel on October 7 and killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapped 250 others.

Israel's war in Gaza has since killed over 41,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health./ REL