The immediate ceasefire in battles for 21 days on the Lebanese-Israeli border requested the bloc of 12 in order “to give space to diplomacy” following the escalation of conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah.

In particular, allies including the US, the UK and the EU have called for a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon. In a joint statement they said the hostilities were “unacceptable” and presented an “unacceptable risk of wider regional escalation” that was not in the interests of the people of Israel or Lebanon.

“We call for an immediate 21-day ceasefire on the border between Lebanon and Israel to allow diplomacy” to resolve the situation, says the text signed by the US, France, the EU, Australia, Canada, the Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

“It is time to conclude a diplomatic agreement which will allow citizens on both sides of the border to return home safely,” it added.

This was followed by a meeting of world leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York.

The text and the new effort to broker a ceasefire shortly before the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ invasion of Israel comes after Israel’s army chief told troops yesterday, Wednesday, that widespread airstrikes in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah could pave the way for them to “enter enemy territory”.

Maj. Gen. Halevi’s remarks are the clearest indication yet from a senior official that a ground invasion of Lebanon may be imminent.

However, at Israel is pessimistic on whether a truce could be reached with Hezbollah. The Israeli government makes it a condition for the return of the displaced people of the north and the retreat of the Shiite organization to the Litani River, as defined by the resolution 1701 of the United Nations Security Council.

Early this morning Benjamin Netanyahu left for New York, where he will address the United Nations.

Joint statement Biden – Macron

Separate joint statement by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron he said it was time for a settlement “that ensures security to allow civilians to return to their homes.”

The current hostilities threaten “a much wider conflict and civilian harm”, they said.

“Therefore, we have worked together in recent days on a joint call for a temporary ceasefire to give diplomacy a chance to succeed and avoid further escalation across the border.”

President Biden spoke briefly to reporters at the White House on Wednesday afternoon, saying there is “significant support from Europe as well as from the Arab nations … it is important that the war not expand.”

A senior government official told the BBC that neither Israel nor Lebanon have accepted the proposal – although the US is in contact with both governments. Official answers are expected within hours.

The official commented that a 21-day pause in the fighting would be an “extended phase” to allow further negotiations to reach a “complex agreement”.