Hochstein 'denies reports of Israel visit' for Lebanon peace push

Unconfirmed reports have suggested that US envoy Amos Hochstein was in Israel on Monday to discuss a possible ceasefire with Lebanon, as Israel pounded the southern coastal city of Tyre.

An X account reportedly belonging to Hochstein later denied the report and said he was still in Washington.

Israeli media did not confirm the report but Channel 12 said Hochstein is expected to visit the region later this week.

Lebanon daily Al-Modon had reported that Hochstein was already in Israel to find a political settlement for Lebanon, as Hezbollah continues to hold back Israeli forces in the south.

Scores of people were killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon over the weekend, with at least five killed in strikes on Tyre on Monday.

Hochstein was in Beirut a week ago, where he conveyed tough Israeli demands for a ceasefire with Hezbollah, which has been trading fire with the Israeli military since 8 October 2023 over the Gaza war.

Israel dramatically escalated its attacks on Lebanon, turning the low-intensity conflict into a full-blown war on 23 September, wreaking havoc on southern and eastern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut with indiscriminate strikes and a "limited" ground invasion in the country’s south.

Although battered by Israeli attacks, which have eliminated most of its senior leadership, Hezbollah has pushed back, killing dozens of Israeli soldiers since ground operations began early this month.

It comes amid an Israeli cabinet meeting that will discuss taking a position on the war in Lebanon, which will determine whether a truce agreement could be reached, or whether any solution will be postponed until after the 5 November US elections.

Hochstein said from Beirut last week that it was no longer enough for both sides to just commit to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon and Hezbollah fighters from the border area, and wanted to end the conflict between Lebanon and Israel "once and for all".

The Jerusalem-born official, who served in the Israeli military, was the key mediator in talks that resulted in the 2022 maritime demarcation deal between Lebanon and Israel.

Tyre under attack

Meanwhile, a drone strike targeted the main Beirut-Damascus highway in the Mount Lebanon town of Araya Monday morning - the third drone attack on a vehicle on this route since fighting began.

Videos shared online showed damage to some cars with their windows shattered and a tiny crater in the road.

The attack did not result in any fires or casualties, and it was not immediately clear who the target was.

Lebanese media described it a "failed assassination attempt".

In the south, strikes pounded the coastal city of Tyre and destroyed several buildings. The attacks began shortly after the Israeli military called on residents there to evacuate.

Avichay Adraee, the army's Arabic spokesman, warned residents living in a marked red zone between four streets to "leave immediately".

Videos online showed explosions going off, tearing through buildings in the heart of the city and along the southern promenade, famous for its cafes and restaurants. Rescue teams said they could not go into the targeted areas before the bombardment stops.

An attack early on Monday left at least five killed and 10 injured in the city's Raml neighbourhood.

Tyre, home to Phoenician and Roman ruins and a famous summer destination was hit seven times last week in an unprecedented wave of strikes since the war began last year.

Attacks continued elsewhere across southern Lebanon over the weekend and into Monday. The Lebanese health ministry said that Israeli strikes killed at least 21 people across southern Lebanon on Sunday.

A heavy strike in the village of Ain Baal killed at least seven people, including three rescuers, according to the latest toll by the health ministry. 

Another nine people were killed and 38 wounded in a strike on Haret Saida, an eastern suburb of the port city of Sidon. It was the first time the town was hit.

Over 2,600 people have been killed and over 12,400 wounded in Lebanon since the fighting erupted last year. Most civilian casualties have been since Israel’s escalation commenced on 23 September.

Editor's note: This story has been updated on 29 October to reflect Hochstein's denial that he was in Israel.