A senior US mediator, Amos Hochstein, indicated that the end of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon is “within grasp” after his recent talks with Lebanese officials. Hochstein, who serves as the White House envoy, spoke in Beirut after meeting with the Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. His comments come a day after Hezbollah and the Lebanese government agreed, in principle, to a ceasefire proposal put forward by the United States.
Hochstein expressed optimism about a potential resolution, saying that “gaps are narrowing,” signaling positive momentum. He noted, however, that while there is a “real opportunity” to end the conflict, technical details of the ceasefire agreement still need to be finalized. He hoped that a “resolute decision” could be reached in the coming days.
The ceasefire proposal has been supported by Lebanon, but Berri mentioned that some aspects of the agreement require further negotiation. These include the specifics of the ceasefire arrangement, with Hochstein expected to address those details before proceeding to Israel for further discussions.
In terms of guarantees, Lebanon looks to the US to ensure that Israel’s demands are met. One such demand from Israel, as voiced by Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen, involves pushing Hezbollah away from the border to prevent further escalation. Israel has indicated that it will only agree to the ceasefire terms if all of its conditions are satisfied.
The efforts of Hochstein and his diplomatic mission mark a critical moment for US diplomacy in the region, especially as the current administration seeks to broker a peaceful resolution before its term ends.
