The White House has affirmed that a proposed 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah was coordinated with the Israeli government, despite Israel's subsequent rejection of the plan.
According to The Hill, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated during a press briefing that the ceasefire proposal, unveiled on Wednesday night, was indeed coordinated with Israeli officials.
The plan, spearheaded by the United States and France with support from several allies, aims to establish a three-week truce between Israel and Hezbollah.
This temporary cessation of hostilities would provide an opportunity to negotiate a more permanent agreement along the Blue Line, the boundary between Israel and Lebanon. The proposal comes amid escalating tensions between the two sides, with recent Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon resulting in over 500 casualties.
Israeli Government's Conflicting Responses To Proposal
Reports suggest that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer were initially briefed on the proposal earlier in the week and expressed preliminary approval.
However, Netanyahu later reversed his stance while en route to New York, reportedly due to pressure from factions within his government.
On Thursday, Netanyahu's office released a statement opposing the ceasefire proposal. This reversal occurred as the Prime Minister arrived in the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly, which is scheduled for high-level talks until Monday.
The conflicting responses from the Israeli government have created uncertainty surrounding the potential for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict.
White House Emphasizes Diplomatic Approach
Despite Israel's rejection of the ceasefire plan, the White House continues to advocate for a diplomatic solution to the crisis. Press Secretary Jean-Pierre stressed the importance of ongoing discussions and the administration's commitment to avoiding an all-out war.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed this sentiment during an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." Blinken stated:
To get an agreement that would create a secure environment, forces pulling back from the border, people having confidence to go back to their homes. Conversely, getting into a full-scale war is not the way to achieve that objective. There's no way in that situation that people are going to be able to go back. So, you have much of the world coming together, calling for this 21-day cease-fire, to give us some time, to give us some space, to see if we can get a diplomatic resolution that creates that environment to get people home.
The Secretary of State's comments underscore the administration's belief that diplomacy offers the best path forward for resolving the conflict and allowing displaced residents to return to their homes.
Ongoing Tensions And International Concerns
The proposed ceasefire comes amid intense escalation between Israel and Hezbollah over the past week. The recent Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, which resulted in numerous casualties, have heightened concerns about the potential for a broader regional conflict.
The United States has been working for months to reach a diplomatic agreement between both sides, aiming to prevent a full-scale war. However, tensions have persisted, with Israel and Hezbollah exchanging fire across the border for nearly a year, a conflict closely tied to the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.
As negotiations continue on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, the international community remains focused on finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The White House's insistence on the coordinated nature of the ceasefire proposal underscores the complex diplomatic efforts underway to de-escalate tensions in the region.
Conclusion
The White House maintains that the proposed 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was coordinated with Israeli officials despite Israel's subsequent rejection. The plan aims to establish a temporary truce to facilitate negotiations for a more permanent agreement. Ongoing tensions and recent escalations have heightened concerns about potential regional conflict. The international community continues to push for a diplomatic resolution, with the United States emphasizing the importance of avoiding all-out war.
