US envoy says a resolution to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict is ‘within reach’

A senior U.S. mediator indicated on Tuesday that there exists a “real opportunity” to resolve the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, noting that the gaps in negotiations are closing, which suggests progress in Washington’s attempts to secure a ceasefire.

White House envoy Amos Hochstein made these remarks in Beirut following discussions with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. This came a day after the Lebanese government and the Iran-backed Hezbollah expressed agreement with a U.S. ceasefire proposal, albeit with some reservations regarding its specifics.

“I returned because we have a genuine chance to bring this conflict to a conclusion,” Hochstein stated at a press conference post-meeting. “It is now within our reach. I hope that the upcoming days will lead to a decisive resolution.”

Hochstein’s mission represents a final effort by the outgoing U.S. administration to negotiate a ceasefire in Lebanon. Berri commented to the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that the situation was “good in principle,” although some aspects of the ceasefire proposal still require further discussion, particularly technical details.

He mentioned that Hochstein would address these specifics before proceeding to Israel, emphasizing that Lebanon views the United States as the guarantor of Israel’s position.

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen remarked at a conference on Tuesday that “discussions are ongoing regarding an arrangement with Lebanon,” but emphasized that Israel would only agree if all its conditions were satisfied, including the removal of Hezbollah from the border area.

These diplomatic efforts are taking place amid an escalation of hostilities, with Israel increasing its strikes on Hezbollah-controlled areas in southern Beirut and conducting three attacks in the capital over the past three days.

The situation escalated in September when Israel launched an offensive, conducting extensive airstrikes across Lebanon, deploying troops to the southern region, and resulting in the deaths of numerous Hezbollah leaders, including their chief, Hassan Nasrallah.

Hezbollah has appointed its longstanding ally, Berri, to serve as Lebanon’s negotiator.

Hochstein arrived in Beirut overnight following Lebanon’s submission of its written response to a U.S. ceasefire proposal, which Berri had received from the U.S. ambassador the previous week.

Israel initiated its offensive after nearly a year of cross-border tensions with Hezbollah, which claimed it was acting in solidarity with Hamas after the militant group’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered the Gaza conflict.

Israel’s stated objective is to dismantle Hezbollah’s military capabilities and ensure the safe return of tens of thousands of Israelis who were evacuated from the northern regions.

According to the Lebanese health ministry, an Israeli strike resulted in the deaths of two individuals in the Chiyah area of Beirut’s southern suburbs. On Tuesday, at least 35 projectiles were launched into Israel from Lebanon, with some intercepted, along with two drones, as reported by Israel’s military.

ISRAELI DEMANDS

Lebanon has dismissed Israeli requests for “freedom of action,” which Cohen indicated would apply in the event of Hezbollah’s attacks or attempts to regain strength. Berri noted last week that the U.S. proposal did not address this issue.

Global powers assert that any ceasefire must adhere to U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which concluded the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. This resolution mandates that Hezbollah relocate its weapons and fighters north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Israeli border.

Ali Hassan Khalil, a senior aide to Berri, informed Reuters on Monday that Lebanon has submitted its feedback on the U.S. proposal “in a constructive environment,” emphasizing that these comments “demonstrate a strict commitment to Resolution 1701 and all its stipulations.”

According to Lebanese authorities, Israel’s military actions have resulted in the deaths of 3,481 individuals in Lebanon since the onset of hostilities. These statistics do not differentiate between combatants and non-combatants.

Hezbollah’s attacks have led to the deaths of 43 civilians in northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, while Israeli reports indicate that 73 soldiers have been killed in strikes in northern Israel and the Golan Heights, as well as in confrontations in southern Lebanon.