US pushing new Lebanon ceasefire proposal with Israel and Beirut

The United States has proposed a new roadmap aimed at reducing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to a US official speaking to Al Jazeera.

The proposal comes amid rising tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border and renewed fears of a wider regional conflict.

The official said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the plan .

Under the proposal, Hezbollah would stop all attacks on Israel in return for Israel refraining from further escalation in Beirut, the official said.

The US believes the proposal could help create conditions for a “gradual de-escalation and a complete and comprehensive cessation of all hostilities”, according to the official.

Washington also blamed Hezbollah for the latest violence, accusing the group of acting in line with Tehran’s interests rather than Lebanon’s.

“The quickest way to protect civilians and reduce escalation is for Hezbollah to cease fire immediately,” the official said.

The official also stressed that the US does not expect Israel to tolerate continued attacks on its civilians.