U.S. and allies propose 21-day cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah
NBCSep 21
US Envoy in Beirut Says Lebanon Cease-fire 'Within Our Grasp'
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Above: US special envoy Amos Hochstein arrives to meet Lebanon's Parliament Speaker in Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov.19, 2024. Image copyright: Fadel Itani/Contributor/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The Facts
White House envoy Amos Hochstein said while in Beirut on Tuesday that there was a "real opportunity to bring this conflict to an end," adding that a cease-fire in Lebanon "is now within our grasp."
Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, leader of the Shiite Amal Movement who has negotiated on Hezbollah's behalf, met with Hochstein on Tuesday and said the US-backed proposal was "good in principle" but some details still needed to be hashed out.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Though the situation in the region continues to escalate, the US has stood firm in its role as a mediator. Israel has every right to respond to the daily terror attacks it has seen since Oct. 7. However, it is in no one's interest for tensions to explode into a wider regional war. The US will continue to work toward regional stability.
Pro-Israel narrative
Israelis from the north must be able to return to their homes as soon as possible. However, the status quo that dominated the Israeli-Lebanese border between 2006 and Oct. 7, 2023 cannot be returned to. Though it is unlikely that Israel would be able to completely dismantle Hezbollah's terrorist networks, the group must withdraw from South Lebanon and not return. How a new status quo will be enforced is yet to be defined, but there should be no question that Hezbollah must be pushed back.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Israel and the US are using the exact same playbook they've been using throughout this entire war — feigning diplomacy while escalating the conflict. Indeed, Israel has demonstrated that it seeks to expand its genocidal campaign that began in Gaza to Lebanon. Though the US, the most powerful country in the world, has continued its charade that it wants de-escalation, the reality is the US fully supports Israel's crimes across the region.
Narrative D
Though Hezbollah and Lebanon have experienced immense suffering for supporting Palestine against Israel's genocidal actions, the group is capable of fighting for many years to come. It has effectively countered Israel's attempts at advancing into Lebanese territory and will continue to defend Lebanon until a suitable political solution is offered. Lebanese sovereignty will not be compromised.
