Muthomi Ireri
Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser to President Joe Biden, emphasized the urgency of seizing the opportunity for diplomatic intervention to resolve the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza and the ongoing violence in Lebanon. Speaking after his meeting with Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri, Hochstein conveyed a strong message that all parties involved must act swiftly to achieve a cease-fire, stating that there are “no more valid excuses from any party for any further delay.”
Hochstein, who has been engaged in shuttle diplomacy between Lebanon and Israel for months, highlighted the critical need to de-escalate tensions across the Blue Line and the broader region. He stressed that with rising tensions and daily clashes, the risk of accidents and mistakes increases, potentially leading to unintended consequences that could escalate the situation beyond control.
He reiterated President Biden’s call, supported by the leaders of Qatar and Egypt, for an immediate return to cease-fire talks in Gaza, focusing on the release of hostages and the creation of conditions to end the conflict. Hochstein expressed hope that the conflict in Lebanon could also be brought to an end soon.
As cease-fire negotiations are set to continue in Doha on Thursday, involving Hamas, Israel, and mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, the situation remains tense. Since October 8, Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged attacks following a surprise assault by Hamas on southern Israel, which triggered the current conflict. Hezbollah has indicated that it will stop its strikes on northern Israel if a cease-fire is achieved in Gaza.
The conflict along the Lebanon-Israel border has intensified, with recent skirmishes escalating significantly. Last month, an Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut killed a top Hezbollah commander accused of launching a rocket into the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, resulting in the deaths of 12 young people. Additionally, a recent explosion in Iran killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, an incident Tehran blamed on Israel.
The region has been on edge, with diplomatic efforts urgently trying to prevent the situation from spiraling into a full-scale war. Both Iran and Hezbollah have vowed to carry out retaliatory actions. Meanwhile, Palestinian health officials reported that Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip overnight and into Wednesday killed at least 17 people, including five children and their parents. These attacks occurred just before renewed discussions aimed at securing a cease-fire in the ongoing 10-month conflict.
Despite months of indirect negotiations, significant differences remain between the parties. Hochstein, after meeting with Israeli officials on Tuesday, continued his diplomatic efforts in Lebanon, where he is also scheduled to meet with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the head of Lebanon’s army.
Dj Vnyash
