Destruction in an Israeli airstrike target area in the Lebanese city of Saksakiyeh, September 26, 2024.

Israel said it is considering a U.S.-led ceasefire proposal that would see a 21-day pause in fighting in Lebanon, as fears grow about a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah that could escalate into a larger regional conflict.

While senior U.S. officials initially claimed the proposal was a done deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later criticized the plan, saying all reports of an impending ceasefire were “false.”

Netanyahu's office clarified in a statement that it is discussing the ceasefire proposal and “shares the goals of the U.S.-led initiative to enable people along our northern border to return safely to their homes.”

Meanwhile, Lebanon's foreign minister warned that the crisis in the country “threatens the entire Middle East” and reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire “on all fronts.”

Here's what we know about the ceasefire initiative:

• Proposed by the US and allies: The proposal comes amid deadly fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which many fear could lead to a wider conflict. Hoping to prevent such an outcome, diplomats and leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York worked hastily to devise a plan that would pause the fighting and create space for diplomacy to prevail.

• Which countries were involved?: President Joe Biden said the plan was endorsed by the United States, Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

• Did Hezbollah agree?: Hezbollah has not yet commented on the proposed agreement, and Lebanese interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati has denied reports of the signing of the framework for Lebanon. According to media reports, Mikati previously signed a ceasefire proposal after meeting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and envoy Amos Hochstein on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

• The fighting continues: Netanyahu, who is expected to address the U.N. General Assembly on Friday, said the Israeli military would continue to fight Hezbollah with “full force” after days of attacks on Lebanon left hundreds dead and up to, according to the Lebanese health minister half a million people have been displaced.