The situation in the Middle East is critical, with Israel continuing its airstrikes against Hezbollah in areas of Lebanon. Already until the early afternoon hours of Thursday, September 26, there had been over five attacks during the day.
In fact, the last of the raids was aimed at Beirut and was essentially an assassination attempt against the commander of the drone unit of the Lebanese organization, Mohammad Hossein Saur, also known as Abu Saleh. The Israeli military announced that Saur was killed, but this has not yet been confirmed by Hezbollah.
Mass attacks in the Lebanese capital killed senior commanders of the group, as reported in international news media. At the same time, continuous explosions were heard in the wider area.
On the other hand, the US and its allies are pushing for a ceasefire to avoid a wider war. However, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, not only refused the proposal they were making, but at the same time urged his country’s army “to continue» businesses.
The proposal for a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah
The United States, its European allies and several Arab nations have tabled a joint ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hezbollah, following a barrage of deadly clashes between the two sides. In this way, they hope to prevent a wider war in the region, but also to strengthen negotiations between the Israeli state and Hamas in Gaza.
«The time has come for an Israeli-Lebanese border settlement that will ensure security and protection. So that citizens can return to their homes“, said the American President, Joe Biden, in a joint statement with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron. While he emphasized that “the exchange of fire since October 7, and especially over the past two weeks, threatens a much wider conflict and civilian harms”.
Officials speaking to the New York Times newspaper said there were indications that both fronts supported negotiations that could lead to a truce. That is why both Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron asked for the “immediate support” of their proposal from the two states.
Who supported the ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hezbollah
The proposal was supported by states from around the world. More specifically, Australia, Canada, the European Union, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar were in favor of it. In their announcement, they ask Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon for an immediate 21-day truce on their borders. The purpose of their request is to allow time and space for further negotiations.
On his return to Washington after the UN General Assembly in New York, Joe Biden spoke about the proposal to reporters. He stressed the importance of agreement between the US and its allies on a single proposal, but also how important it is not to escalate the war.
What does the truce proposal include?
The cease-fire proposal between Israel and Lebanon, officially, includes a cessation of hostilities for about three weeks. As officials report in the New York Times newspaper, they explain that the two states supported the negotiations in the previous 48 hours, so that a solution could be found.
Although the cease-fire proposal essentially addresses the hostilities between Hezbollah and the Israeli state, the organization does not have the same power as the state, so it cannot be formally invited to the discussions.
At the same time, according to the information, Lebanon seeks to calm the spirits and stop the attacks. The government, of course, should ensure that the fighters of the Lebanese organization will respect the decision.
Israel rejected a ceasefire proposal with Lebanon
Israel has rejected a ceasefire proposal with Hezbollah, defying the US and its allies. In particular, Israel’s foreign minister pointed out in a message that “there will be no ceasefire in the north. We will continue to fight against the terrorist organization, Hezbollah, with all our might until victory and the safe return of the people of the north to their homes».
At the same time, Benjamin Netanyahu also appeared negative. Through his press office it was noted that “the news about a ceasefire is not true. This is an American-French proposal, to which the prime minister did not even respond». Contrary to his statement he added that he had ordered the Israeli army to continue fighting with full force.
The responses and comments immediately dashed any hopes of a speedy resolution to the issue. World leaders, for their part, are expressing concern about the escalation.
At the same time, as Médecins Sans Frontières medical coordinator Luna Hamad tells Al Jazeera, Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon are putting great pressure on the National Health System, which is “already fragile». Many children, women and the civilian population in general have lost their lives in recent weeks, following the explosion of Hezbollah sirens, dramatically increasing the number of casualties since the October 7 conflict in the Gaza Strip began.
As most analysts in the international news media report, fear and concern are intensifying, lest there be an Israeli ground attack on Lebanon, escalating the situation in the Middle East and leading to a generalized war in the wider region.
“Stop sending arms to Israel”
The President of the Palestinian Authority was at the UN General Assembly, Mahmoud Abbas, on Thursday afternoon. In his speech, he said that through his words he seeks to answer Benjamin Netanyahu’s lies.
Mahmoud Abbas urged world leaders to stop sending weapons to Israel. Among other things, he noted that “stop killing women and children. Stop femicide. This madness cannot continue. The whole world is responsible for what is happening to our people in Gaza and the West Bank».
The Palestinian Authority leader condemned the killing of civilians by both sides – he means by Hamas and Israel – and stressed the need to end the war. “Instead of obeying the voice of reason, the Israeli government took advantage of what happened to launch an all-out genocidal war against Gaza.“, he underlined.
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