United States diplomat, Amos Hochstein, is determined to end the conflict in Lebanon swiftly, emphasizing a long-term solution without revealing elaborate details of the diplomatic efforts. Following discussions with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut, Hochstein hinted at concentrating ceasefire initiatives on implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which resolved the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.
Resolution 1701 requires Lebanese armed forces and UN peacekeepers to be the sole military presence between the Israel border and the Litani River. Hochstein outlined that enforcing 1701 would move Hezbollah fighters away from the Israeli border, forming the basis for a resolution. The US is collaborating with Lebanon and Israel to find a comprehensive formula for ending the conflict, paving the way for prosperity.
Israeli Proposal
Hezbollah’s agreement to withdraw from border areas remains uncertain. Previous peace agreements lacked significant enforcement mechanisms. Despite challenges, Hochstein refrained from discussing Israeli proposals publicly, stressing the importance of diplomacy behind closed doors. While expressing sadness over the destruction in Lebanon, Hochstein highlighted the detachment of Lebanon’s future from regional conflicts, urging for a standalone resolution.
‘Saddened’
Despite ongoing tensions, Hezbollah continues to retaliate against Israeli forces, inflicting casualties and launching attacks in various regions. The conflict’s complexity requires a careful and measured approach from all parties involved to achieve sustainable peace in the region.