Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a Sept. 25 U.S.-French joint statement—also signed by Australia, Canada, European Union, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Qatar—calling for a 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, so as to allow for diplomacy. Washington and others had allowed suggestions to flourish that an agreement might come within hours.
“The report about a ceasefire is incorrect,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement issued today. “This is an American-French proposal that the Prime Minister has not even responded to.” The statement also denied news reports that Netanyahu had ordered an easing of the fighting with Hezbollah, ahead of a ceasefire announcement. Instead, the statement vowed: “The fighting in Gaza will also continue until all the objectives of the war have been achieved.”
Yesterday’s joint statement said: “It is time to conclude a diplomatic settlement that enables civilians on both sides of the border to return to their homes in safety. Diplomacy however cannot succeed amid an escalation of this conflict. Thus we call for an immediate 21 day ceasefire across the Lebanon-Israel border to provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement consistent with UNSCR 1701, and the implementation of UNSCR 2735 regarding a ceasefire in Gaza.
