The United States, France and several allies called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire across the Israel-Lebanon border while also expressing support for a ceasefire in Gaza following intense discussions at the United Nations on Wednesday.

The ceasefire would apply to the "Blue Line," the demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel, and would allow the parties to negotiate towards a potential diplomatic resolution of the conflict, a senior Biden administration official said.

Government spokesman David Mencer reiterated a statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israeli troops had been directed to “continue fighting with full force.”

The Israeli military’s relentless pressure on Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, including intense airstrikes and assassinations of some of its senior commanders, raised concern that it would mount a ground invasion that could lead to a wider war in the region.