US Envoy Claims Efforts To End Israel-Hezbollah War In Ganggaman

Lebanese Refugees/screenshot via UN News

JAKARTA - A senior US (US) mediator said there was a real opportunity to end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. This signifies progress in Washington's efforts to reach a ceasefire.

White House envoy Amos Hochstein spoke in Beirut, talks with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a day after Iran-backed Lebanese and Hezbollah governments agreed to a US ceasefire proposal, with several responses to its contents.

"I'm back because we have a real chance to end this conflict," Hochstein said at a news conference after the meeting.

"Now this is in our hands. I hope the next few days will produce a firm decision," he continued.

Hochstein's mission marks the US administration's final attempt to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon as diplomacy to end the war in Gaza appears to be adrift.

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen on Tuesday said there was talk of a deal with Lebanon. But he reiterated Israel would agree only if all of its demands were met, including pushing Hezbollah away from the border.

The diplomatic effort coincided with the increasingly intense war, as Israel stepped up its attacks on the southern suburbs of Hezbollah-controlled Beirut and carried out three attacks on the capital itself in the past three days.

The conflict developed into an all-out war in September when Israel carried out attacks, striking the vast territory of Lebanon with airstrikes, sending troops to the south, and killing many Hezbollah commanders including leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Hochstein has tried to broker a ceasefire several times over the past year.

Hezbollah has supported his longtime ally, Berri, as a Lebanese negotiator.

Hochstein flew to Beirut after Lebanon delivered its written response to the US ceasefire proposal received by Berri last week from the US ambassador.