The first diplomatic effort to end the war in Lebanon has failed, with Israel rejecting ceasefire attempts by seven Western nations and three from the Middle East. Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu stands accused of playing a double game, privately agreeing to a ceasefire with US interlocutors but publicly distancing himself from the idea. The news provoked anger in Israel, with ministers stating that there will be no ceasefire in the north. The Biden administration expressed confidence in the success of the ceasefire, but that confidence appears to have been misplaced.