US proposes new plan to ease tensions between Israel and Lebanon

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about diplomatic negotiations between Israel and Lebanon and proposed a plan to allow for a "gradual de-escalation", an American official said on Sunday (31).

The US has proposed that, as a first step, the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group cease all attacks against Israel and, in return, Israel refrain from intensifying clashes in Beirut, the official said.

"This would create space for a gradual de-escalation and effective cessation of hostilities," according to the official.

They added that Aoun tried to move forward with the proposal and secure a deal. However, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri, who claimed to "guarantee" Hezbollah's commitment to a ceasefire, placed the onus on Israel to "stop shooting first."

Netanyahu had declared on Sunday that he ordered the advance of Israeli troops into Lebanon in the fight against Hezbollah, despite the ceasefire announced more than six weeks ago.

In the latest advance, Israeli troops seized the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle and a strategic ridge in southern Lebanon, the army said early Sunday, a day after one of the most intense days of Hezbollah fire against northern Israel since the April ceasefire, which led to the closure of schools and the imposition of restrictions.

The American official said the US does not expect Israel to absorb Hezbollah's continued attacks on its civilians.

Source: CNN