France’s foreign minister announced that France and the U.S. are collaborating on a 21-day ceasefire proposal aimed at de-escalating the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The proposal, expected to be released soon, is intended to allow for negotiations and a diplomatic solution to the ongoing violence that has claimed over 600 lives. The U.S. administration, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, is actively engaging with partners to garner support for the plan, which they believe could lead to stability along the Israel-Lebanon border. President Joe Biden’s advisers have been meeting with Middle East allies to push for a ceasefire, with Israeli officials reportedly open to the idea as long as Israeli civilians are allowed to return home. While Hezbollah has maintained that it will not halt its fire until there’s a truce in Gaza, efforts are being made to find a resolution that addresses both fronts. The U.S. government has also imposed sanctions on entities involved in illicit shipments of Iranian petroleum in support of Hezbollah and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The tension between Israel and Hezbollah continues to intensify, with Israel preparing for a possible ground operation in Lebanon and an increase in projectiles being hurled by Hezbollah into Israel. Secretary Blinken has stressed the importance of a diplomatic agreement to avoid an all-out war and ensure the safe return of civilians to their homes along the Israel-Lebanon border.
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