U.S. Proposes Hezbollah Halt Attacks on Israel in Exchange for Israeli De-escalation After Israeli Forces Seize Beaufort Castle

Washington has put forward a proposal to de-escalate hostilities in Lebanon, a United States official told Al Jazeera. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Under the proposed roadmap, Hezbollah would halt all attacks on Israel in exchange for Israel refraining from further escalation in Beirut.

U.S. official said the plan aims to create a conducive environment for a gradual de-escalation and a complete, comprehensive cessation of all hostilities. Israeli forces took over the medieval Beaufort Castle just north of the Litani River in southern Lebanon on May 31.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military on June 1 to attack targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh. ” He added: “Now my directive is to deepen and expand our hold in places that were under Hezbollah’s control. ” Israeli forces used Beaufort Castle, also known as Qalaat al-Shaqif, as a base during their two-decade occupation of southern Lebanon that ended in 2000.

More than one million people have been forcibly displaced across Lebanon since the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel escalated on March 2, 2026. A ceasefire to halt the fighting began on April 17, 2026, but has never been observed. Israeli forces killed at least 12 people and wounded 35 in more than 36 attacks across southern Lebanon on May 31, according to an Al Jazeera tally.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, more than 3,412 people have been killed and 10,269 wounded in Israeli attacks since March 2, 2026. S. official placed responsibility for the current round of fighting squarely on Hezbollah and accused it of following Iran’s directives without regard for Lebanese interests.

The official said Iran was prolonging the conflict in Lebanon to position itself as a mediator. S. official said, adding that Washington does not expect Israel to tolerate continued attacks on its civilians.

French President Emmanuel Macron said nothing justifies Israel’s escalation of its offensive on Lebanon. United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called on Israel to halt its military activity in Lebanon, saying its escalation had eroded space for diplomacy.

Qatar condemned Israel’s continuing attacks on Lebanon and the expansion of its ground offensive in the south, describing the campaign as a serious escalation and violation of international law.

Egypt’s foreign minister Badr Abdelatty affirmed Cairo’s solidarity with Lebanon in a phone call with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and called for Israel’s withdrawal from all Lebanese territory.