International allies, including the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union, have called for a 21-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, sparking mixed reactions from Israeli politicians.
The 12-nation bloc issued a joint statement on Thursday, describing the hostilities as “intolerable” and warning of an “unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation”. They proposed the ceasefire to “provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement” in Gaza.
This appeal comes after Israel’s military chief hinted at a possible ground offensive in Lebanon, following extensive air strikes that reportedly killed at least four people overnight in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
Israeli political figures have responded with varying stances. Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition party Yesh Atid, suggested accepting a shorter seven-day ceasefire to prevent Hezbollah from restoring its command and control systems. He emphasised that any proposal must include Hezbollah’s removal from Israel’s northern border.
Contrastingly, Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s far-right finance minister, rejected the ceasefire proposal, stating that Hezbollah must not be given time to recover. He advocated for either Hezbollah’s surrender or continued warfare to ensure the return of displaced northern Israeli residents.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett proposed that Hezbollah should disarm and withdraw 15 kilometres from the Israeli border to halt the strikes, criticising the militant group for launching rockets at Israel “for no legitimate reason”.
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