UN Security Council Emergency Meeting
The United States and France are seeking a 'three-week temporary pause' between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, where large-scale airstrikes continue. This diplomatic effort is unfolding as major world leaders gather at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York to prevent the conflict, which escalated with last year's Gaza Strip war, from spreading across the Middle East.
"Prevent Middle East Escalation" International Community Moves... Aiming to Halt Airstrikes for Now
According to the UN, Jean-No?l Barrot, France’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated at a UN Security Council meeting held at the UN Headquarters in New York on the 25th (local time), "A diplomatic solution in Lebanon is indeed possible," adding, "We are cooperating with the United States on a 21-day temporary ceasefire proposal for negotiations over the past few days." He said the ceasefire plan would be announced soon and expressed hope that both sides would accept it without delay to protect civilians and initiate diplomatic talks. Minister Barrot is scheduled to visit Lebanon this weekend.
Led by the United States and France, with participation from Arab countries, this ceasefire plan aims to halt the airstrikes between Israel and Hezbollah that began on the 23rd, based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The goal is to help civilians who fled the border areas return home and to buy time to seek a diplomatic resolution. UN Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006, calls for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon along their border and respect for the border between the two countries. The online media Axios reported that this ceasefire plan was initiated following a phone call on the 23rd between Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor, and Ron Dermer, Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister.
Currently, the Israeli military has continued large-scale airstrikes targeting Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon for three consecutive days. In response, Hezbollah also launched ballistic missiles targeting the headquarters of Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence agency, escalating tensions between the two sides. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, at least 72 people were killed in Lebanon due to Israeli attacks on the same day. Over the past three days, the death toll from airstrikes has exceeded 600, with one-quarter of the victims being women and children.
Israel Signals Ground Offensive... Lebanese Prime Minister Calls for Immediate Ceasefire, Urges Security Council Pressure
Moreover, the Israeli military has signaled a possible ground offensive soon. Herzi Halevi, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, told soldiers that the current airstrikes aim to destroy Hezbollah’s infrastructure and prepare for the possibility of crossing the border, stating, "We are preparing for maneuvering." The Israeli military also confirmed that it has mobilized two reserve brigades for operations in the northern border area of Lebanon.
The international community is expressing growing concern. With nearly a year since the Gaza Strip war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas began, the risk of the conflict expanding from Lebanon to the entire Middle East is rapidly increasing, especially as ceasefire and hostage release negotiations in Gaza have yet to be concluded. Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, visiting New York for the UN General Assembly, warned reporters, "Israel has crossed all red lines," adding, "If war breaks out in Lebanon, Tehran will not remain indifferent."
At the emergency Security Council meeting, UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres described the 23rd, when the airstrikes began, as "the bloodiest day in Lebanon in a generation." He called for an end to the killing and destruction and urged to "de-escalate investigations and threats." Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati also addressed the Security Council, stating, "Israel is violating Lebanon’s sovereignty," and requested the Security Council to pressure for an immediate ceasefire on all fronts.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden appeared on ABC News’ "The View" the same day, acknowledging "the possibility of a full-scale war" but also stating, "There is still an opportunity to reach an agreement that fundamentally changes the entire Middle East." He emphasized the need for a ceasefire and a two-state solution, supporting Israel but not agreeing with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s stance. Netanyahu, who delayed his trip to New York due to airstrike operations, is scheduled to deliver a speech at the UN General Assembly’s general debate on the 27th.
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