U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein announced on Monday in Beirut that the United States is actively working on a solution to end the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Hochstein stressed that simply adhering to U.N. Resolution 1701, which brought an end to the 2006 conflict, would not suffice.
Hochstein: U.S. Working on Lasting Peace Solution Between Israel and Hezbollah
Resolution 1701 calls for the removal of all non-state military forces and weapons from southern Lebanon, but Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Shi’ite group, has continued its presence in the region. Recent tensions escalated when Hezbollah launched missile attacks on northern Israel in support of Hamas, following the Palestinian group’s attacks on Israel last year. Israel responded with a large-scale offensive against Hezbollah.
Read: Hezbollah Rocket Attack Injures One in Northern Israel
Envoy Hochstein Aims for Comprehensive Peace Between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah
Hochstein, who visited Lebanon for the second time in two months, held talks with Lebanese officials in an effort to mediate peace. He emphasized that additional measures were needed beyond U.N. Resolution 1701 to ensure a lasting solution, one that is implemented fairly and transparently.
“We are working with the governments of Lebanon and Israel to find a formula that will bring an end to this conflict once and for all,” Hochstein said during a press conference. He added that the U.S. wants to resolve the conflict quickly, reiterating President Biden’s commitment to peace in the region.
U.S. Mediation Efforts Intensify to End Israel-Hezbollah Conflict for Good
Hochstein’s visit follows his “constructive” meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a key Hezbollah ally. Concerns have also grown over a potential wider conflict between Israel and Iran, Hezbollah’s primary backer.
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