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New York, United States
A statement from the official X (formerly Twitter) account of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Office on Friday (September 27), said that Israel felt the need to "clarify a few points" due to widespread "misreporting around the US-led ceasefire" plan.
"Earlier this week, the US shared with Israel its intention to put forward, together with other international and regional partners, a ceasefire proposal in Lebanon," the statement read.
"Israel shares the aims of the US-led initiative of enabling people along our northern border to return safely and securely to their homes. Israel appreciates the US efforts in this regard because the US role is indispensable in advancing stability and security in the region.," the statement added.
Due to a lot of misreporting around the US-led ceasefire initiative, it is important to clarify a few points.
Earlier this week, the US shared with Israel its intention to put forward, together with other international and regional partners, a ceasefire proposal in Lebanon.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) September 27, 2024
The statement from Netanyahu's office also said that the two sides (Israel and the US) had met on Thursday (September 26) and discussed "how we can advance the shared goal of returning people safely to their homes."
US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken meets Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer in New York
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer in New York to discuss the ceasefire initiative.
"The Secretary discussed the importance of reaching an agreement on the 21-day ceasefire across the Israel-Lebanon border proposed by the United States, Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Qatar and a diplomatic settlement that will allow civilians on both sides of the border to return to their homes," the State Department said in a press release.
Also read: IDF kills Hezbollah drone commander; 700 dead as conflict escalates in Lebanon
According to the State Department, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Israeli minister that any further escalation of the conflict with Lebanon would complicate the return of civilians to their homes on both sides of the border.
"The Secretary also discussed ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza that would secure the release of the hostages, alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, and set the conditions for an end to the war, and underscored that all parties must make the difficult decisions necessary to reach an agreement," the statement added.
(With inputs from agencies)