Multiple countries sign on statement urging diplomatic settlement; Israel and Lebanon expected to give answers in coming hours; Iran vows to back Hezbollah to the hilt The United States, France, and some of their allies called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah while also expressing support for a truce in Gaza, according to a joint statement of the countries released by the White House Wednesday following an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Lebanon.

“The situation between Lebanon and Israel since October 8th, 2023, is intolerable and presents an unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation,” said the statement, citing the date Hezbollah began launching attacks on northern Israeli communities and military posts following its ally Hamas’s October 7 massacres in southern Israel.

Israel’s envoy to the UN welcomed the call and said Israel prefers a diplomatic solution. However, he warned that Israel would not hesitate to use force if the deal did not meet the conditions that would allow Israeli residents to securely return to their homes.

A US official said a decision from Israel, and Lebanon, which was liaising with Hezbollah, on the ceasefire could come “within hours.”

Fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah has escalated sharply over the past week to the brink of an all-out war, stoking fears the conflict could spread across the Middle East.

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