UNITED NATIONS, United States, Sept 26, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - The United States, European Union and several Arab nations issued a joint call Wednesday for a 21-day "temporary ceasefire" in Lebanon after Israeli strikes on Hezbollah threatened to tip the Middle East into all-out war.

Hundreds have been killed and thousands have been displaced since Israel launched its strikes, with the Lebanese health ministry saying that another 72 people died on Wednesday.

"It is time to conclude a diplomatic settlement that enables civilians on both sides of the border to return to their homes in safety," said the joint statement issued by the United States, Australia, Canada, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

"Diplomacy however cannot succeed amid an escalation of this conflict. Thus we call for an immediate 21 day ceasefire across the Lebanon-Israel border to provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement."

Wednesday saw a flurry of diplomatic activity on the issue at the United Nations, which is hosting its flagship world leaders' week.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Lebanon that Paris and Washington were proposing a three-week truce "to allow for negotiations and a more sustainable ceasefire."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had urged an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and warned "hell is breaking loose."

Israel said it welcomed diplomacy on Lebanon but did not commit to a ceasefire, vowing to pursue its goal of degrading Hezbollah.