‘Progress’ made in cease-fire efforts in Lebanon: Officials
Officials mediating between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement on Tuesday hinted at progress in diplomatic efforts to secure a cease-fire in Lebanon.
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” as he met with officials to discuss a truce plan.
The United States and France have spearheaded efforts for a cease-fire in the conflict, which escalated in late September after nearly a year of deadly exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel.
Israel’s attacks on Lebanon have killed more than 3,500 people.
Following a meeting on Tuesday with Lebanese Parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who has led mediation on behalf of the resistance group, Hochstein told reporters he saw “a real opportunity” to end the fighting.
“I’m here in Beirut to facilitate that decision, but it’s ultimately the decision of the parties... It is now within our grasp,” he added.
A Lebanese official said Monday that his government had “a very positive view” of the truce plan, while another said Lebanon had been waiting for Hochstein “so we can review certain outstanding points with him.”
Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen said on Tuesday that, “There are talks regarding an arrangement with Lebanon” but reiterated that, “Israel would agree only if all its demands were met, including pushing Hezbollah away from the border.”