A U.S. official revealed on Sunday that Washington is introducing a diplomatic framework to de-escalate growing friction along the Israel-Lebanon border through a phased reduction of hostilities.
As part of this diplomatic push, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held individual talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avert an all-out war between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
The proposed plan outlines an initial goodwill gesture where Hezbollah would cease its cross-border strikes, while Israel would agree to halt further military operations targeting Beirut. U.S. mediators hope this initial step will pave the way for a gradual decrease in violence and a lasting truce.
While President Aoun has been actively promoting the initiative to gather consensus, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri—acting as a vital link to Hezbollah—maintained a firmer stance. Berri asserted that Israel must halt its offensive actions before any comprehensive ceasefire agreements can be secured.
These diplomatic maneuvers are unfolding despite a ceasefire declared over six weeks ago, as stability on the ground rapidly deteriorates. Hours prior to the diplomatic talks, Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly ordered Israeli troops to widen their footprint inside Lebanon.
Concurrently, the Israeli military confirmed it had captured the historic, strategically positioned Beaufort Castle and its adjacent ridge in southern Lebanon.
The military escalation follows a massive volley of Hezbollah rockets fired into northern Israel, marking one of the most severe breaches since the April truce. The bombardment forced northern Israeli municipalities to cancel school sessions and implement strict security protocols.
The U.S. official underscored that Washington recognizes Israel’s right to defend its citizens from rocket fire, but emphasized that the U.S. will persist with diplomatic channels to curb the violence and address the core security needs of both nations.