The two American presidents said Joe Biden And the French Emmanuel Macron In a joint statement issued by The White House On his official website: “It is time to reach a settlement on the Israeli-Lebanese border that ensures safety and security, and enables civilians to return to their homes.”
“The exchange of fire since October 7, and especially over the past two weeks, threatens a wider conflict and harm to civilians,” he added.
“That’s why we’ve been working together in recent days to launch a joint call for a temporary ceasefire to give diplomacy a chance to succeed and avoid further escalation across the border,” he continued.
He stressed that the statement “was supported by the United States and Australia.” and Canada European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia And the Emirates United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom And Qatar“
The White House concluded its statement by saying: “We call for broad approval and immediate support from both governments.” Israel And Lebanon.
Israel expanded its air strikes on Lebanon Wednesday, killing at least 81 people, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
Israeli Chief of Staff General Herzi Halevi said the airstrikes in Lebanon were paving the way for a possible ground operation, raising fears that the conflict could ignite a wider war in the Middle East.
And targeted Israeli army With its strikes this week, Hezbollah leaders and hundreds of sites deep inside Lebanon fled hundreds of thousands, and in return, the party launched a barrage of missiles towards Israel.
Israel said its fighter jets targeted southern Lebanon and the plain. Bekaaa Hezbollah stronghold to the north, and the Israeli army announced that it would call up two reserve brigades to carry out operational missions on the northern front.
Securing the northern border and allowing the return of some 70,000 residents displaced by the almost daily exchange of fire since the outbreak of Gaza war October is a priority for Israel.
Hospitals in Lebanon have been overwhelmed with wounded since Monday, when Israeli shelling killed more than 550 people in the country’s deadliest day since the end of the war. Civil War In 1990.
