US Envoy in Beirut for Ceasefire Talks Following Hezbollah’s Approval of Draft

US envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut as Hezbollah and Lebanon approved a US-brokered ceasefire draft. While aligned with UN Resolution 1701, unresolved details and ongoing violence may delay a final deal.

US envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut on Tuesday for discussions with Lebanese officials regarding a US-brokered ceasefire proposal between Hezbollah and Israel. The visit follows Hezbollah’s approval of a draft ceasefire agreement facilitated by Washington, according to Lebanon’s state news agency.

This development marks significant progress in US-led diplomatic efforts to end the conflict that escalated into full-scale war in late September, after Israel launched a major offensive against Hezbollah.

Ali Hassan Khalil, an aide to Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, confirmed that both the Lebanese government and Hezbollah had agreed to the US proposal and provided comments on its content. Khalil refrained from detailing these comments but described the response as positive and aligned with the principles of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. The resolution mandates that Hezbollah must not maintain an armed presence in the area between the Israeli-Lebanese border and the Litani River.

Whilst Hezbollah has entrusted Berri with leading negotiations, both sides have intensified military actions during the ongoing political talks. Khalil criticised Israel for attempting to 'negotiate under fire', referencing an escalation in Israeli bombardments targeting Beirut and Hezbollah-controlled regions in southern Lebanon. He emphasised that these actions would not alter Lebanon’s stance.

A diplomat familiar with the discussions noted that some details of the agreement still need to be finalised, warning that unresolved issues could delay a formal deal.

Israel has not issued an official statement on the proposed ceasefire. However, the continuing dialogue signals a potential breakthrough in efforts to halt the violence and restore stability to the region.

Copied