From Beirut, US envoy Hochstein says Lebanon, Israel can prevent wider war if Gaza deal agreed

Amos Hochstein said on Wednesday he believed all-out war between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah could be avoided if a Gaza deal is reached.

MENA

3 min read

The New Arab Staff

Rita El Jammal

14 August, 2024

US envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut on Wednesday and met with several senior Lebanese officials [Getty]

US envoy Amos Hochstein confirmed on Wednesday that work is underway at various diplomatic levels to avoid an all-out war between Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israel although this hinges on progress in Gaza truce talks due to take place in Doha on Thursday.

Hochstein, a senior adviser to US President Joe Biden, landed in the Lebanese capital earlier that day in a bid to deter an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, after the latter killed a senior commander from the Islamist group in Beirut's southern suburbs last month.

Hochstein, accompanied by US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson, met Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib.

Hochstein stressed that work was underway "at various diplomatic levels" to ensure a Gaza ceasefire deal is reached, which he said would contribute to ending the cross-border clashes on Lebanon's southern border with Israel.

"Resolution 1701 is a guarantee for stability in the south," he added, referring to a UN Security Council resolution that calls for the deployment of the Lebanese army to southern Lebanon and the withdrawal of Israeli forces behind the Blue Line.

During the meeting, Mikati stressed "the need to pressure Israel to stop its attacks and threats" on Lebanon, according to state news agency NNA.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mikati said talks with Arab and Western leaders had intensified due to the seriousness of the situation in Lebanon and the region.

"We are facing uncertain opportunities for diplomacy which is now moving to prevent war and stop Israeli aggression," Mikati said in a speech ahead of a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Since cross-border attacks between Hezbollah, Israel began on 8 Oct:

Over 280 Hezbollah fighters were killed

More than 1,000 casualties in Lebanon, including over 177 civilian deaths

Over 100,000 Lebanese displaced from southern Lebanon

More than 60,000 Israelis displaced from northern Israel

Hochstein meets Hezbollah ally Berri

Earlier, Hochstein met parliament speaker Nabih Berri, a strong Hezbollah ally, with the two officials discussing a framework agreement on the table for a Gaza ceasefire and if agreed would likely defuse tensions in Lebanon.

"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 told a press conference after the talks.

"He (Berri) and I agreed there is no more time to waste and there are no more valid excuses from any party for any further delay."

When asked by a reporter whether Israel and Hezbollah could avoid a war, Hochstein replied: "I hope so, I believe so."

Government sources told The New Arab's Arabic-language site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed earlier on Wednesday that the US envoy had not presented any new initiatives or developments.

"The visit came in the context of recent security developments, the latest upcoming negotiations related to a Gaza ceasefire deal and efforts to de-escalate the situation to avoid an expanded war since neither Hezbollah nor Iran had yet responded to two assassinations by Israel," the source said.

"Hochstein is the US envoy in charge of the Lebanon file and has carried out multiple visits to Beirut. However, he will continue to receive the same response, which reflects Lebanon's position: Lebanon does not want war and is committed to implementing international resolutions, particularly Resolution 1701."

The visit comes just days after the Lebanese government released a detailed proposal outlining a plan aimed at achieving long-term stability on its southern border with Israel.

The proposal includes deploying more Lebanese army personnel, through a new recruitment drive, into the border area.

The initiative marked the first time the Lebanese government had issued an official, detailed document outlining its stance and suggested measures for de-escalation since the conflict began on 8 October.