US envoy in Beirut says 'real opportunity' to end Israel-Hezbollah war
A US envoy said he was in Beirut Tuesday because he saw "a real opportunity" to end the Israel-Hezbollah war, with the Lebanese group announcing then postponing a speech by its leader shortly after.
On September 23, Israel began an intensified air campaign in Lebanon before sending in ground troops, nearly a year into exchanges of fire initiated by Hezbollah in support of Palestinian ally Hamas after its October 7, 2023 attack sparked the war in Gaza.
"I came back because we have a real opportunity to bring this conflict to an end," Amos Hochstein told reporters after meeting for about two hours with Hezbollah-allied parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri, who has led mediation on behalf of the group.
"This is a moment of decision making. I'm here in Beirut to facilitate that decision, but it's ultimately the decision of the parties to reach a conclusion to this conflict," Hochstein said.
"It is now within our grasp," he added during his second visit to Beirut in nearly two months of war.
Shortly after his comments, the Iran-backed group said its leader Naim Qassem would give a speech "today", without specifying the time, before postponing it moments later.
Hochstein later met with Prime Minister Najib Mikati, the premier's office said.
The United States and France have spearheaded efforts for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war.
"We've had just now very constructive talks with Speaker Berri, and we have continued to narrow the gaps through the discussions over the last few weeks," Hochstein said.
- 'Outstanding points' -
A Lebanese official had told AFP Monday that the government had a positive view of the US truce proposal, while a second official said Lebanon was waiting for Hochstein's arrival to "review certain outstanding points with him".
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Washington had been sharing proposals with Lebanon and Israel, which had both reacted to the plan.
Miller said the US was pushing for "full implementation" of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.
The resolution requires all armed forces except the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers to withdraw from the Lebanese side of the border with Israel. It also requires Israeli troops to withdraw from Lebanon.
Last week, another Lebanese official had said US Ambassador Lisa Johnson discussed the plan comprising "13 points spanning five pages" on Thursday with Mikati and Berri.
If an agreement is reached, Washington and Paris would issue a joint statement, he said, followed by a 60-day truce during which Lebanon will redeploy troops in the southern border area, near Israel.
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that even with a deal Israel would "carry out operations against Hezbollah" to keep the group from rebuilding.
Lebanese authorities say more than 3,510 people have been killed since clashes began in October last year, with most casualties recorded since September.
