Sources told the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar that the visit of American envoy Amos Hochstein to Beirut came against the backdrop of "heavy pressure" by Israel on the United States to persuade senior Lebanese officials to prevent Hezbollah from escalating.
In addition, a newspaper close to Hezbollah reported that the American envoy discussed the alleged implementation of international resolutions in southern Lebanon in exchange for the evacuation of Hezbollah facilities south of the Litani River. However, Al Akhbar has learned that Hezbollah has stressed to all Lebanese officials that "there is no room for any kind of discussion – unless after a complete and final cessation of Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip. The resistance will not stop supporting Gaza in any way."
Amos Hochstein, Photo: Reuters
Sources told the newspaper that Hochstein was discussing a political solution that would lead to a ceasefire or limit the conflict if there were no conditions for a political solution, and after a ceasefire in Gaza, the disputed points on the border between Israel and Lebanon would begin to be dealt with.
According to the sources, Hochstein did not convey warnings from Israel about escalation. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was quoted as saying that "Hochstein did not have a specific and comprehensive proposal but a gradual proposal related to a ceasefire in Gaza."
IDF bombings in southern Lebanon (archive), photo: Arab networks
"The American envoy did not talk about Hezbollah's withdrawal south of the Litani River. Lebanon approves the implementation of Resolution 1701 and Israel's obligation to implement it." Berri added: "There are no negotiations without the Shebaa Farms [in the Har Dov area]." This is against the background of Hochstein's message this week that he has no mandate to discuss the matter, since it is a Syrian-Lebanese matter.
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