U.S. pushes new Israel-Lebanon ceasefire initiative

By Barak Ravid

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken over the past 48 hours with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an attempt to promote a new ceasefire initiative, according to a senior U.S. official. The official said the proposal was introduced as part of the ongoing negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.

The New Proposal: No Escalation in Beirut in Exchange for a Hezbollah Ceasefire

• Another round of talks between diplomats from both sides is scheduled to take place in Washington this week. To move the negotiations forward, the United States has proposed that, as a first step, Hezbollah cease all attacks on Israel. In return, Israel would refrain from escalating operations in Beirut, the U.S. official said.

• According to the official, this would "create space for a gradual de-escalation of tensions and an effective cessation of hostilities." The official added that President Aoun has been trying to advance the proposal and secure an agreement. However, the response from Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was, in the official's words, evasive and disappointing.

• Berri reportedly claimed he could obtain Hezbollah's commitment to a ceasefire, but placed the burden on Israel to stop firing first, despite the fact that Hezbollah initiated the current round of fighting, the U.S. official said.

U.S. Signals Possible Support for Israeli Action in Beirut if Talks Collapse

• The U.S. official stressed: "Hezbollah follows Tehran's lead. It has no interest in the welfare of the Lebanese people." According to the official, Iran seeks to prolong the conflict in Lebanon so it can later take credit for "saving the situation."

• "The United States does not expect Israel to absorb ongoing attacks against its civilians by a terror organization. The fastest way to prevent escalation and protect civilians on both sides is for Hezbollah to stop its attacks immediately," the official said.

• Why it matters: The U.S. official hinted that if Rubio's ceasefire initiative fails, Washington could give Israel a green light to act against Hezbollah targets in Beirut, after preventing such action for several weeks.