US 'does not expect Israel to absorb' Hezbollah attacks, signals green light for IDF escalation

US Proposes Ceasefire Roadmap as Israel Advances in Lebanon

Washington/Beirut – The United States has put forward a de-escalation roadmap aimed at halting hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, with reports indicating that Hezbollah has accepted a proposal for a mutual cessation of attacks. The plan, confirmed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in phone calls with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calls for Hezbollah to stop all attacks on Israel in exchange for Israel refraining from further escalation in Beirut.

According to a US official cited by Al Jazeera, the proposal is designed to create conditions for a gradual de-escalation and a comprehensive cessation of hostilities. The official said that “the fastest way to de-escalate and protect civilians on all sides is for Hezbollah to stop firing immediately.” Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Post reported that a US official said Washington “does not expect Israel to absorb ongoing attacks on its civilians by a terrorist organization.”

Lebanon’s US Embassy announced on Monday that Hezbollah had accepted the US proposal for a “mutual cessation of attacks.” An embassy statement published by President Aoun’s office said the confirmation came after a phone call between Aoun and Secretary Rubio. The statement added that under the arrangement, Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, would cease in exchange for Hezbollah refraining from attacks, with the ceasefire framework expanded to encompass all Lebanese territory.

The developments come as Israel’s military continues its deepest advance into Lebanon in decades. The IDF announced it had taken control of Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Saluki areas north of the Litani River, with extensive support strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure to reduce resistance. Beaufort Castle, a 12th-century Crusader fortress, is strategically located 300 meters above sea level, overlooking large parts of southern Lebanon and northern Galilee.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the IDF had established control of the strategic height, which Israel previously controlled from 1982 to 2000. The military said it was operating near the Hezbollah stronghold of Nabatiya and prepared to expand operations, marking the farthest advance by Israeli ground forces.

Senior Israeli officials have appealed to senior US officials to allow the IDF to expand strikes in Beirut, according to two sources cited by the Jerusalem Post. The sources said Israeli officials were hopeful of a favorable US response given the lack of progress in negotiations between Washington and Tehran and in Israel-Lebanon talks.

In a separate development, Saudi outlet Al Hadath reported, citing an anonymous Israeli source, that Israel had attempted to target Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem at least twice in recent weeks. The report came shortly after Netanyahu announced he had instructed the IDF to intensify attacks. Additionally, N12’s Barak Ravid reported on X that a senior American official had hinted Washington would support Israeli military action against Hezbollah, according to the Jerusalem Post.

International Reactions

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called on Israel and Hezbollah to return to the ceasefire, describing Israel’s push into southern Lebanon as “cause for serious concern.” Speaking via the DPA agency, Wadephul said, “Any further advance of the Israeli army in southern Lebanon causes serious concern,” and urged Israel to spare civilians and civilian infrastructure. He added that any further escalation would “aggravate the tense situation and provoke new waves of displacements of the population in Lebanon.”

Wadephul also backed the Israeli-Lebanese talks in Washington as the “right channel for achieving results,” while insisting that Hezbollah must not continue to undermine the peace process.

Next Steps

The fourth round of Israel-Lebanon negotiations is scheduled to take place in Washington, with discussions expected to continue on Tuesday and Wednesday. The talks, which began in April, are the first direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, despite Hezbollah’s strong opposition.

For now, the US proposal—which requires Hezbollah to halt all attacks as a first step—faces uncertainty. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who claimed he could guarantee Hezbollah’s commitment to a ceasefire, has reportedly placed the burden on Israel to cease fire first. A US official described Berri’s response to President Aoun’s efforts as “evasive and disappointing.”