US envoy to Lebanon: Ceasefire in Gaza could prevent escalation
The visit of the US Envoy to Lebanon took place a day before the first round of negotiations in months between Israel and the radical Islamic Hamas, allied with Hezbollah, over a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip. Under pressure from mediators USA, Egypt, and Qatar, a negotiating session is planned for Thursday, likely in Qatar's capital, Doha.
The three mediating countries had called on both warring parties last week to resume negotiations. Unlike Israel, Hamas has so far refused to participate.
"I discussed, among other things, a framework agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip with the Speaker of Parliament and Hezbollah ally, Nabih Berri," said Hochstein in Beirut. Both agreed that "we cannot afford to waste any more time, and there should be no more valid excuses for further delay from either side."
The longer time passes, the greater the risk of "accidents, mistakes, and misfires" that could "easily lead to an escalation that gets out of control." The US diplomat, who also met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, added: "We believe we can end the conflict now, today, here in Lebanon." A diplomatic solution is still possible.
Hezbollah has been nearly daily shelling Israel's north from Lebanon since the start of the Gaza Strip conflict following Hamas's major attack on October 7. Israel responds with attacks in Lebanon. So far, at least 568 people have been killed in Lebanon, including at least 118 civilians. On the Israeli side, 22 soldiers and 26 civilians have been killed. Hundreds of thousands of people on both sides of the border have had to leave their homes.
Tensions have escalated recently after Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran and Hezbollah military chief Fuad Shukr was killed in Beirut at the end of July. Shukr was killed in an Israeli army attack, Haniyeh by an explosion in the Iranian capital. Israel has not commented on Haniyeh's killing; Hamas and Iran blame Israel for both attacks.
The US Envoy's discussions in Beirut focused on a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, involving the Speaker of Parliament and Hezbollah ally, Nabih Berri. Despite the urgency to prevent further escalations in the Gaza Strip, Hamas has yet to participate in the planned negotiations.
