U.S. presidential envoy Amos Hoekstein broke the precedent of his visit to Lebanon by informing Speaker Nabih Berri that he would arrive in Beirut immediately following the announcement of a ceasefire. However, he is coming today without the ceasefire being achieved, indicating a serious development that warranted his presence in the region, a tour that began yesterday in Tel Aviv.
The most concerning revelation came from a diplomatic source in Beirut to "Anbaa," regarding the essential reason for Hoekstein’s sudden visit. The source stated, "Amos Hoekstein, under direct instruction from the U.S. administration, carries the last warning or final message to Lebanese leaders concerning the situation on the southern front. He will insist in Beirut on returning to the status quo prior to October 8 with a complete commitment to implementing UN Resolution 1701, which entails the withdrawal of Hezbollah from the area of operation of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), known as the area south of the Litani River. He will inform the leaders he meets that this is in Lebanon’s interest, as the alternative is escalating tensions and entering into a broader war."
The source clarified that Hoekstein’s diplomatic record, as well as that of President Joe Biden’s administration, lists the achievement of maritime border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel. He aimed to build on this achievement by resolving the land border issue. Hoekstein previously announced that the delimitation of maritime boundaries would bring stability and calm to both countries for many years. His visit stems from internal American calculations followed by Israeli considerations since he seeks to gain additional positive leverage in the electoral contest between Biden and Republican candidate Donald Trump. The most notable of these leverage points is the potential to restore calm to the southern borders and to resume negotiations to resolve the remaining disputed border points.
The source advised the Lebanese leaders Hoekstein will meet, to "disclose to the Lebanese people the truth of what he carries and the nature of these new conditions, especially since the information leaked regarding the U.S. envoy’s mission indicates that the authority has no choice but to accept the conditions of the ceasefire. This can be portrayed as a victory, just as you did in the maritime border demarcation when you accepted the delimitation from the sea rather than the land point (B1) controlled by Israel, and you conceded an area of 1,432 square kilometers."
The source noted that this time, Hoekstein’s visit is "not as a mediator but rather as a party. He wants a ceasefire agreement on the southern border before the first debate between Biden and Trump. The question being raised in Beirut is: Will Iran pressure for acceptance of the arrangements Hoekstein brings? And does Benjamin Netanyahu even accept the new American proposal? It is acknowledged that Netanyahu has succeeded in turning the issue into an American-Lebanese problem."
