A striking paradox experienced by the Lebanese over the last few hours is the limited relative decrease in the intensity of border confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah, akin to the relative decline in the severe heat wave. This has allowed for a moment of relief and breath-catching before the ground confrontations intensify again at the southern-Israeli border or before the emergence of new diplomatic data that could indeed cool the southern front.
As cautious calm prevailed on the southern front yesterday, coinciding with the Eid al-Adha holiday and the announcement by the Israeli army of a "tactical ceasefire" in the southern Gaza Strip, Hezbollah did not report any operations in the northern settlements, according to "An-Nahar."
All eyes will turn to the visit today by Amos Hochstein, the senior energy advisor to the U.S. president, to Israel, aiming to cool the southern front, before moving from Tel Aviv to Beirut to discuss with Lebanese officials ideas he will reintroduce to cool the situation at the border and then start negotiations to finalize the land border demarcation, noting that this second aspect seems more complicated than before in light of Lebanon's involvement in the recent war with Israel.
Reports indicate that the American envoy will head to Beirut on Tuesday coming from Tel Aviv, and he will meet with Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and the caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Bou Habib.
In light of this data, the last few hours leading up to Hochstein’s arrival in Israel and Lebanon have shown a notable decrease in the pace of reciprocal military operations between Israel and Hezbollah. Sources closely acquainted with the military and diplomatic situation attribute this to three main factors: the reflection of the tactical ceasefire in Gaza on the situation in the south, the anticipation of what the American envoy will bring, and the brief and rapid truce imposed by four days of difficult confrontations that exerted strong pressure on both Israel and Hezbollah to slightly retract their escalation in preparation for upcoming rounds, unless Hochstein succeeds in his mission, according to "An-Nahar."
