BEIRUT: US presidential envoy Amos Hochstein on Tuesday emphasized the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the ongoing cross-border clashes between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, a conflict that has intensified since October last year when Israel launched a relentless bombardment campaign in Gaza.
During his visit to Beirut on Tuesday, Hochstein stressed that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah must be resolved immediately through diplomatic means. “The conflict… between Israel and Hezbollah has gone on for long enough,” Hochstein stated. “It’s in everyone’s interest to resolve it quickly and diplomatically — that is both achievable and it is urgent.”
Hezbollah, an influential armed group allied with the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, has ramped up attacks on northern Israel in retaliation for an Israeli strike that killed one of its senior commanders last week.
As Hochstein arrived in Beirut, Hezbollah announced a new attack, claiming to have targeted an Israeli tank with an “attack drone”. Israeli strikes have continued in southern Lebanon, including a fatal strike on Monday that killed a Hezbollah fighter.
Hochstein’s visit included a meeting with Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, a key Hezbollah ally, following his discussions in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Speaker Berri and I had a very good discussion,” Hochstein said. “We discussed the current security and political situation in Lebanon as well as the deal on the table right now with respect to Gaza, which also provides an opportunity to end the conflict across the Blue Line,” the demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon.
US President Joe Biden had earlier proposed a truce aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza, which Hochstein believes could also bring an end to the hostilities along the Blue Line. “A ceasefire in Gaza and, or, an alternative diplomatic solution could also bring the conflict across the Blue Line to an end,” Hochstein noted, adding that it would enable the return of displaced civilians to southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
“This is a serious time and a critical moment,” Hochstein remarked after his meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, describing their discussion as “excellent”. He highlighted the collaborative efforts to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
Prime Minister Mikati emphasized the need to halt Israeli aggression against Lebanon and restore calm and stability on the southern border. “What is required is to stop the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon and return to calm and stability on the southern border,” Mikati said in a statement from his office, adding that “continued Israeli threats” will not deter Lebanon from pursuing peace.
In addition to his political meetings, Hochstein also met with Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun to discuss the situation.
Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for over 2,100 military operations against Israel since October 8, stating that an end to the Gaza war is the only condition for stopping its cross-border attacks. The recent violence has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 473 people killed in Lebanon, mostly civilians. Israeli authorities report the deaths of at least 15 soldiers and 11 civilians in the country’s north.
