Saturday, 21 December, 2024
US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein said during a visit to Beirut on Tuesday that an end to the Israel-Hezbollah war was “now within our grasp,” following talks with Lebanese officials on a proposed truce plan largely supported by Lebanon.
The US and France have led diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire in the conflict, which intensified in late September after nearly a year of deadly exchanges between Hezbollah and Israeli troops. Israel expanded its military operations from Gaza to Lebanon, aiming to secure its northern border and allow displaced people to return to their homes.
Since Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel triggered the violence, more than 3,510 people have died in Lebanon, most of them since late September, including over 200 children, according to UN figures.
After meeting with Nabih Berri, Hezbollah’s ally and the Lebanese parliamentary speaker, Hochstein expressed cautious optimism, telling reporters, “I see a real opportunity to end the fighting. I'm here in Beirut to facilitate that decision, but it is ultimately up to the parties involved. It is now within our grasp.”
The planned truce has garnered significant support from Lebanese officials, with one government source calling the proposal "very positive." However, the details remain under review, with the Lebanese government awaiting Hochstein’s input on several unresolved points.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Monday that Israel would continue military operations against Hezbollah even if a ceasefire were reached. “We will be forced to ensure our security in the north of Israel and systematically carry out operations against Hezbollah to prevent the group from rebuilding its strength,” he said, adding that there was no evidence Hezbollah would honor any ceasefire.
The conflict began after Hezbollah launched cross-border attacks in solidarity with Hamas, following the Palestinian group's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to the war in Gaza. The Hamas assault, the deadliest in Israel's history, claimed over 1,200 Israeli lives, mostly civilians, according to official figures. In Gaza, the death toll has reached 43,972, the majority of them civilians, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry and verified by the UN.
Since expanding operations into Lebanon in September, Israel has conducted extensive bombing campaigns, primarily targeting Hezbollah strongholds, though some strikes have hit areas beyond the group’s control. The UN has reported over 200 child fatalities in Lebanon since the escalation began.
In response to the continuing violence, UNICEF spokesperson James Elder lamented, “Despite more than 200 children killed in Lebanon in less than two months, a disturbing pattern has emerged: their deaths are met with inertia from those able to stop this violence.”
While Israel has sent ground troops into southern Lebanon, Hezbollah continues to launch daily rocket attacks on northern Israel. On Tuesday, Israel's military reported that 40 projectiles were fired into the region, injuring four people. The day before, a rocket strike killed one woman in Shfaram and wounded 15 others, including five in Tel Aviv. Hezbollah also announced missile attacks on the Glilot military base and Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed that the US had shared ceasefire proposals with both Israel and Lebanon. He emphasized that the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701—an agreement that ended the last Hezbollah-Israel conflict in 2006—would be “in everyone’s interest.” The resolution calls for the deployment of Lebanese and UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah has a strong presence.
A Lebanese official revealed that US Ambassador Lisa Johnson had discussed the truce plan with Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Speaker Berri. If a deal is reached, the US and France are expected to issue a joint statement, followed by a 60-day truce allowing for the redeployment of Lebanese troops in the south.
However, some analysts remain sceptical about the prospects for a quick ceasefire. Eyal Pinko, a retired Israeli naval commander, cautioned that Israel's priority would be to ensure Hezbollah does not position forces within 30 to 40 kilometres of the border, a demand he believes Iran and Hezbollah would reject. Pinko warned that Israel is still far from controlling southern Lebanon and that further challenges lie ahead.
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US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein said during a visit to Beirut on Tuesday that an end to the Israel-Hezbollah war was “now within our grasp,” following talks with Lebanese officials on a proposed truce plan largely supported by Lebanon.
The US and France have led diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire in the conflict, which intensified in late September after nearly a year of deadly exchanges between Hezbollah and Israeli troops. Israel expanded its military operations from Gaza to Lebanon, aiming to secure its northern border and allow displaced people to return to their homes.
Since Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel triggered the violence, more than 3,510 people have died in Lebanon, most of them since late September, including over 200 children, according to UN figures.
After meeting with Nabih Berri, Hezbollah’s ally and the Lebanese parliamentary speaker, Hochstein expressed cautious optimism, telling reporters, “I see a real opportunity to end the fighting. I'm here in Beirut to facilitate that decision, but it is ultimately up to the parties involved. It is now within our grasp.”
The planned truce has garnered significant support from Lebanese officials, with one government source calling the proposal "very positive." However, the details remain under review, with the Lebanese government awaiting Hochstein’s input on several unresolved points.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Monday that Israel would continue military operations against Hezbollah even if a ceasefire were reached. “We will be forced to ensure our security in the north of Israel and systematically carry out operations against Hezbollah to prevent the group from rebuilding its strength,” he said, adding that there was no evidence Hezbollah would honor any ceasefire.
The conflict began after Hezbollah launched cross-border attacks in solidarity with Hamas, following the Palestinian group's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to the war in Gaza. The Hamas assault, the deadliest in Israel's history, claimed over 1,200 Israeli lives, mostly civilians, according to official figures. In Gaza, the death toll has reached 43,972, the majority of them civilians, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry and verified by the UN.
Since expanding operations into Lebanon in September, Israel has conducted extensive bombing campaigns, primarily targeting Hezbollah strongholds, though some strikes have hit areas beyond the group’s control. The UN has reported over 200 child fatalities in Lebanon since the escalation began.
In response to the continuing violence, UNICEF spokesperson James Elder lamented, “Despite more than 200 children killed in Lebanon in less than two months, a disturbing pattern has emerged: their deaths are met with inertia from those able to stop this violence.”
While Israel has sent ground troops into southern Lebanon, Hezbollah continues to launch daily rocket attacks on northern Israel. On Tuesday, Israel's military reported that 40 projectiles were fired into the region, injuring four people. The day before, a rocket strike killed one woman in Shfaram and wounded 15 others, including five in Tel Aviv. Hezbollah also announced missile attacks on the Glilot military base and Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed that the US had shared ceasefire proposals with both Israel and Lebanon. He emphasized that the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701—an agreement that ended the last Hezbollah-Israel conflict in 2006—would be “in everyone’s interest.” The resolution calls for the deployment of Lebanese and UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah has a strong presence.
A Lebanese official revealed that US Ambassador Lisa Johnson had discussed the truce plan with Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Speaker Berri. If a deal is reached, the US and France are expected to issue a joint statement, followed by a 60-day truce allowing for the redeployment of Lebanese troops in the south.
However, some analysts remain sceptical about the prospects for a quick ceasefire. Eyal Pinko, a retired Israeli naval commander, cautioned that Israel's priority would be to ensure Hezbollah does not position forces within 30 to 40 kilometres of the border, a demand he believes Iran and Hezbollah would reject. Pinko warned that Israel is still far from controlling southern Lebanon and that further challenges lie ahead.
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