U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein met with Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut following discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Tensions have escalated along the Lebanese-Israeli border, with daily cross-border attacks between Israel and Hezbollah, a Hamas ally. The recent conflict intensified after Hezbollah’s largest simultaneous attack in response to the killing of a senior commander by Israel.
Hochstein’s meeting with Netanyahu comes after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested a Gaza ceasefire as a way to address the Hezbollah-Israeli violence. Israeli government spokesman David Mencer stated that Hezbollah has launched over 5,000 rockets and missiles at Israel, emphasizing Israel’s defense against Hezbollah aggression.
Hezbollah confirmed over 2,100 military operations against Israel since Hamas’ initial attack, with recent escalations leading to key Hezbollah operative deaths. The situation has raised concerns at the United Nations, warning of a potential wider conflict in the region.