War in Lebanon
US mediator arrives in Israel – meets with Netanyahu
Updated 11/20/2024 – 9:59 p.mReading time: 1 min.
US mediator Hochstein expressed cautious optimism in Lebanon about a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. He now wants to meet Prime Minister Netanyahu in Israel.
US mediator Amos Hochstein has arrived in Israel, where he will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, according to media reports. He is expected to present a US draft for a ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia. According to further reports, Hezbollah sees the draft as a basis for negotiations.
In the Lebanese capital Beirut, Hochstein reported progress after talks with the Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Berri is an ally of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah and an important interlocutor in the struggle for a ceasefire.
According to Lebanese security sources, the US proposal calls for Israel and Hezbollah to initially suspend their attacks for 60 days. The Israeli army should then withdraw and the Lebanese army should be stationed at the border. If the ceasefire holds, Israel and Lebanon should hold negotiations on the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701. Among other things, it envisages a withdrawal of the Hezbollah militia behind the Litani River, around 30 kilometers from the de facto border with Israel.
