US proposes new plan to ease Israel-Lebanon tensions amid fighting

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with ​both Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the diplomatic negotiations between Israel and Lebanon and has proposed ​a ‌plan to allow for “gradual de-escalation,” a ⁠US official said on Sunday.

The US has proposed that as a first ‌step, the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group would stop all ⁠attacks on Israel and in return Israel would refrain from escalation in Beirut, the official said.

“This would create ​space for gradual de-escalation and an effective cessation ‌of hostilities,” according to the official.

They added that Aoun tried to advance the proposal and secure an agreement. However, Lebanese ‌Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who claimed to “guarantee” Hezbollah’s commitment to a ceasefire, placed ​the burden on Israel to stop “shooting first.”

Netanyahu had said on Sunday that he ordered troops to move further into Lebanon ​in the battle against Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire announced ​more than six weeks ago.

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