Beirut: U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein expressed confidence on Wednesday that a full-scale war between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah could be avoided. He emphasized the urgent need for Israel and Hamas to pursue a peace agreement for Gaza without further delay.
The situation escalated when Iran-backed Hezbollah launched cross-border attacks on Israel following Israeli military actions in Gaza, which were in response to a deadly Hamas attack on October 7. Initially, Israeli retaliation was confined to the border area with Lebanon but has since expanded to target key Hezbollah, Hamas, and other figures further north.
Hochstein, a senior adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden, arrived in Beirut to address tensions and deter further escalation after the recent killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
“We continue to believe that a diplomatic resolution is achievable because we continue to believe that no one truly wants a full-scale war between Lebanon and Israel,” Hochstein stated following discussions with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a strong Hezbollah ally.
Hochstein discussed the proposed framework agreement for a Gaza ceasefire with Berri, highlighting that such a deal could also facilitate a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon, thereby preventing a broader conflict. “He (Berri) and I agreed there is no more time to waste and there’s no more valid excuses from any party for any further delay,” he noted in a news conference.
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Hochstein is scheduled to meet with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib. Earlier, Mikati reported that discussions with Arab and Western leaders have intensified due to the escalating situation in the region. “We are facing uncertain opportunities for diplomacy which is now moving to prevent war and stop Israeli aggression,” Mikati said before a cabinet meeting.
When asked whether Israel and Hezbollah could avoid war, Hochstein responded, “I hope so, I believe so.”
