The United States, Australia, Canada, the European Union, and several other nations, including France, Germany, and Japan, released a joint statement on Wednesday, urging an end to the “situation between Lebanon and Israel” — a reference to the cross-border conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.
The coalition of states called for a “diplomatic settlement” to avoid further escalation of the conflict in the region. This diplomatic settlement must be consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 adopted in 2006, calling for a full cessation of hostilities. Josep Borrell, high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy, emphasized the importance of the resolution in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), noting that “[t]here is a legal basis for settling the conflict: UNSC resolution 1701. Implementation is what is needed.”
In addition to a legal basis, the joint statement requires a 21-day ceasefire to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2735 effectively. This US-backed resolution was approved on June 10, 2024, seeking a permanent ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated on October 8, 2023. During this month, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah, a Lebanese Islamist militant group, faced each other in several confrontations. This worsened the already tense situation in the region amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. On October 15, Israel issued evacuation orders for residents in Northern Gaza to allow for military operations in the area. A week later intense fire was exchanged between Israel and Hezbollah on the Lebanese border.
The joint statement released on Wednesday also highlighted the impact of the ongoing violence on innocent civilians: “It is time to conclude a diplomatic settlement that enables civilians on both sides of the border to return to their homes in safety.” International humanitarian law seeks to limit the effects of armed conflicts and protect the most vulnerable, such as civilians. Legal instruments such as the Fourth Geneva Convention are essential mechanisms for the protection of civilians in times of war and must be complied with to ensure these rights are protected, while international effectors to de-escalate the conflict through diplomatic means continue.
