US envoy Amos Hochstein expressed on Wednesday his belief that a full-scale war between Israel and Lebanon's influential militant group Hezbollah could be averted, emphasizing the urgent need for Israel and Hamas to reach a peace agreement for Gaza without any further delays. Hezbollah, supported by Iran, initiated cross-border attacks on Israel shortly after Israeli forces launched a military operation in Gaza in retaliation for the lethal Hamas attack on October 7. Israeli strikes, initially focused on Lebanon's border regions, have now extended to target senior Hezbollah, Hamas, and other key figures further north.
Hochstein, a senior advisor to US President Joe Biden, arrived in Beirut on Wednesday with the aim of preventing an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, following the latter's killing of a high-ranking Hezbollah commander in the southern suburbs of Beirut last month. "We remain convinced that a diplomatic solution is attainable because we believe that neither side truly desires a full-scale war between Lebanon and Israel," Hochstein stated after discussions with parliament speaker Nabih Berri, a close ally of Hezbollah. Hochstein mentioned that he discussed the existing framework agreement for a Gaza ceasefire with Berri, noting that such a deal could facilitate a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon and prevent the spread of a broader conflict.
"He (Berri) and I concurred that there is no more time to lose and no more acceptable excuses from any party for any further delays," Hochstein declared at a press conference. Hochstein is scheduled to meet with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib. Earlier on Wednesday, Mikati highlighted the intensification of talks with Arab and Western leaders due to the gravity of the situation in Lebanon and the broader region.
"We are confronted with uncertain prospects for diplomacy, which is now focused on preventing war and halting Israeli aggression," Mikati stated in a speech prior to a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. When queried by a reporter on whether Israel and Hezbollah could avert a war, Hochstein responded: "I hope so, I believe so."
