As tensions continue to escalate between Israel and Lebanon, U.S. Special Envoy Amos Hochstein began his visit to the region after a tense week during which an Israeli raid in southern Lebanon led to the death of senior Hezbollah member Sami Abdullah. In response, the group launched hundreds of rockets and drones at Israel for three days.
A source familiar with the discussions revealed that Hochstein engaged in indirect talks with Hezbollah, mediated by Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Participants discussed reaching a preliminary agreement to end hostilities that would be contingent on a ceasefire in Gaza, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Increased Hezbollah Strikes
Additionally, officials involved in the negotiations and analysts indicated that recent weeks have seen an increase in the volume and range of projectiles fired by Hezbollah, as well as deeper Israeli strikes into Lebanon, raising the chances of miscalculations that could escalate into a widespread war. Since the start of the conflict on October 7, Hezbollah has launched over 5,000 rockets, anti-tank missiles, and explosive drones at Israel.
U.S. Concerns
In the latest statement, the Pentagon noted, "Despite the heightened confrontations along Israel's northern border, we believe that the fighting is still contained." Concerns in Washington regarding the border conflict are growing, and last week, the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces made his first visit to the Pentagon in over two years, partly to discuss the escalating tensions with Israel. On the same day, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held a phone conversation with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant, discussing efforts to ease the tensions.
