- Home
- War in the Middle East
- Hochstein’s Visit to Israel Spurs Moderate Optimism
US envoy Amos Hochstein visited Israel over the weekend as part of a new regional tour. Hochstein is also set to visit Lebanon, aiming for a “diplomatic agreement to defuse tensions on Israel’s northern border.” This border has been witnessing a relentless exchange of fire between Hezbollah and Israel since October 8.
According to Israeli media, Joe Biden’s envoy reported “progress in diplomatic discussions aimed at moving Hezbollah away from Israel’s northern border.”
This withdrawal is said to extend as far as the northern Litani River, according to Security Council Resolution 1701, which has yet to be implemented on the ground and is the focus of Western diplomatic missions in Lebanon.
During his visit to Israel, Hochstein met Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv on Saturday. Speaking of the meeting, the Times of Israel reported in its Monday edition that the American envoy mentioned a possible diplomatic solution, which “would include the withdrawal of Hezbollah from the border.” However, the media outlet pointed out that this “information has not been officially confirmed.”
Following the meeting with the American Envoy, Yoav Gallant’s office stated that Israel was “ready to resolve the crisis (with Hezbollah) through diplomatic agreements.”
“However, we are also ready to face any other outcome,” he warned, alluding to a possible military operation to remove Hezbollah from its northern border, should diplomatic missions fail.
Hochstein also held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz.
“Senior Israeli officials expressed optimism about a potential agreement, for the first time since the onset of the war (in Gaza), nearly four months ago,” reported Israeli media.
Western emissaries, engaged in a mission of good offices to prevent a widening of the military conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, are working on a three-phased agreement:
“An interim agreement that will include an 8-10 kilometer withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters from areas close to the border with Israel, a reinforcement of the presence of UNIFIL peacekeepers and the Lebanese army in the region, and the return of the inhabitants (Israelis and Lebanese) to their respective homes on both sides of the border,” once the latter has been secured.
The agreement in question would also include “a framework for discussions on the delimitation of the land border between Israel and Lebanon.”
Hochstein, who was the mediator of the Lebanese-Israeli agreement on the maritime border, is also set to lead the indirect talks on the demarcation of the land border. He is due to travel shortly to Lebanon, where French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné is expected on Tuesday.
According to Israeli media, Joe Biden’s envoy reported “progress in diplomatic discussions aimed at moving Hezbollah away from Israel’s northern border.”
This withdrawal is said to extend as far as the northern Litani River, according to Security Council Resolution 1701, which has yet to be implemented on the ground and is the focus of Western diplomatic missions in Lebanon.
During his visit to Israel, Hochstein met Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv on Saturday. Speaking of the meeting, the Times of Israel reported in its Monday edition that the American envoy mentioned a possible diplomatic solution, which “would include the withdrawal of Hezbollah from the border.” However, the media outlet pointed out that this “information has not been officially confirmed.”
Following the meeting with the American Envoy, Yoav Gallant’s office stated that Israel was “ready to resolve the crisis (with Hezbollah) through diplomatic agreements.”
“However, we are also ready to face any other outcome,” he warned, alluding to a possible military operation to remove Hezbollah from its northern border, should diplomatic missions fail.
Hochstein also held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz.
“Senior Israeli officials expressed optimism about a potential agreement, for the first time since the onset of the war (in Gaza), nearly four months ago,” reported Israeli media.
Western emissaries, engaged in a mission of good offices to prevent a widening of the military conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, are working on a three-phased agreement:
“An interim agreement that will include an 8-10 kilometer withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters from areas close to the border with Israel, a reinforcement of the presence of UNIFIL peacekeepers and the Lebanese army in the region, and the return of the inhabitants (Israelis and Lebanese) to their respective homes on both sides of the border,” once the latter has been secured.
The agreement in question would also include “a framework for discussions on the delimitation of the land border between Israel and Lebanon.”
Hochstein, who was the mediator of the Lebanese-Israeli agreement on the maritime border, is also set to lead the indirect talks on the demarcation of the land border. He is due to travel shortly to Lebanon, where French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné is expected on Tuesday.
Read more
Comments